Title:

Tokamak Basics and Research in Plasma Physics and Fusion Technology at the DIII-D Tokamak

Speaker:

Dr. Theresa Wils

Affiliation:

MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center

When:

Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM   Add to Calendar

Where:

Boggs Building, Room 3-47

Host:

Chaitanya Deo
cdeo3@gatech.edu

Abstract

DIII-D is a National Fusion Facility that serves the public fusion program for primarily magnetic confinement fusion research in a highly collaborative environment. This talk will provide an overview of the DIII-D tokamak, covering both the fundamental operations of tokamak plasmas as well as scientific and technical highlights from the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center program. PSFC fusion research ranges from experimental execution, deployment of large-scale heating systems, design of advanced diagnostics, and the simulation of plasma processes. A key theme for PSFC research include understanding how to develop and control a high performance plasma core that is compatible with realistic exhaust solutions, preventing damage to plasma facing components.

Biography

Dr. Theresa Wilks is a research scientist in the field of fusion science and technology using magnetic confinement of plasmas with a focus towards energy production. As a researcher for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Theresa’s research concerns understanding and mitigating tokamak edge transient events, developing integrated tokamak scenarios viable to be projected to future power producing devices, and diagnostic development for vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy. She collaborates with the experimental group working on the DIII-D fusion experiment, where she is a physics operator supporting a broad range of physics objectives. She is a member of the executive committees for the US Transport Taskforce and actively participates in the APS Division of Plasma Physics in both scientific research and mentorship programs.

Notes

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