Laser demonstration on JET detects fusion fuels

MASCOT robotkäsi JET sõõrikukujulises reaktoris
Author:
UK Atomic Energy Authority

Scientists at the Plasma Physics Laboratory of the University of Tartu, in collaboration with partners from eight countries, have successfully used lasers to measure the fuel levels in the walls of the world's only deuterium-tritium-fuelled tokamak reactor, the Joint European Torus (JET). This achievement marks an important milestone in the development of safety for future nuclear fusion reactors.

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Doctoral student Jasper Ristkok, who participated in the preparations for the experiments, at the JET reactor (Photo: Jasper Ristkok).
Doctoral student Jasper Ristkok, who participated in the preparations for the experiments, at the JET reactor (Photo: Jasper Ristkok). (author: Jasper Ristkok)

Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), an analytical technique that uses a high-powered laser to measure the composition of a material, was deployed using a remotely operated robotics system on JET.

Initial use of the LIBS system detected JET’s fuel mix of tritium and deuterium on the tokamak’s plasma-facing components.

JET provides an ideal engineering and diagnostic testbed for developing technologies to manage tritium inventories in future power plants.

The international collaboration involved participants from EUROfusion, a consortium committed to advancing fusion energy research and development, with contributions from Finland, Germany, Italy, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia and the UK.

Read more on the website of EUROfusion.

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