Mini Tokamak
Engineering Fusion Science and Education at a Human scale
Small experimental Tokamaks play a crucial role in advancing STEM education and research by providing hands-on learning opportunities and fostering innovation in physics. They allow students and researchers to explore the principles of plasma physics in a and safe environment, encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Additionally, these smaller devices are cost-effective and accessible, making them ideal for universities and research institutions to collaborate on experiments. Investing in small devices not only enhances the development of fusion energy but also inspires the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Mission
Why
Given the resurgent interest in nuclear fusion as a power source to ultimately combat climate change, there is a requirement to both educate the public about this potential source of power as well as engage and train talent in this nascent industry.According to Physlink.com there are at least 1600 University Physics departments in the world. Of these over 600 are in the USA and 200 in Europe, at least 500 are in the developing world. Many of these departments lack the facilities to teach plasma physics and fusion technology.To this end the development of a low cost, compact plasma demonstration device that could be used for outreach and education becomes an attractive idea.
Concept
How
The SPM1 “Mini Mak “is a Tokamak like demonstration device showing plasma physics in action, suitable for public demonstrations, undergraduate and graduate teaching and Postgraduate research. It is designed to be low cost and accessible to universities and institutes including the developing world. In its basic form it has a target build cost of under $30,000. The design is also modular allowing for upgradeable performance to match both educational and science goals.
The aim is to help teach the fundamentals of Plasma Physics and Fusion Science, not just Tokamaks but other alternative magnetic confinement approaches. In addition, it will act as inspiration to young minds and demonstrators to the public. Although in its basic form it is not a true Tokamak as it does not have a significant stabilising plasma current it could be classed as a Simple Magnetized Torus, suitable for introducing concepts in both fusion and astrophysical plasmas.
Description
Simplicity of design, scalable concepts
Designed with an open architecture this small device can be upgraded to high levels of performance.
In its simple form the “Minimak” consists of a small Toroidal vacuum vessel made from four standard 150 mm diameter quarters bolted together to form a circle 460 mm in diameter. It has three lateral viewing ports, a vacuum port and four diagnostic ports that can look through the plasma. Around the Torus, directly mounted on the chamber are wound eight Toroidal Field (TF) magnets of 50 turns each using 6 mm diameter copper cable. The magnets can run continuously at currents up to 40A and several times that in pulsed mode. Inside the centre of the chamber there is a Solenoid coil and Four Poloidal field coils at the top and bottom of the chamber. Further out above and below the chamber there is another pair of Poloidal coils. All of the magnet coils can be connected to independent variable switch mode power supplies and operate continuously, allowing for greater operating flexibility.
The plasma is created using a dual electrode AC discharge system that allows it to maintain glow when the chamber is magnetised. Operation can be further enhanced with a 2.45Ghz Magnetron. Diagnostics include a webcam, hall sensors, Langmuir probe and a spectrometer. The software interface is open and flexible , allowing coding in .NET, Python and Labview. It also supports distributed Microcontrollers and PLC's.
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