Events at Physics |
Events During the Week of September 9th through September 16th, 2018
Monday, September 10th, 2018
- Plasma Physics (Physics/ECE/NE 922) Seminar
- The Advanced Tokamak Path to Steady State Fusion Energy
- Time: 12:05 pm - 1:00 pm
- Place: 2241 Chamberlin Hall
- Speaker: Richard Buttery, General Atomics
- Abstract: Development of an efficient fusion reactor requires the simultaneous optimization of the plasma operating scenario and underlying hardware. These are inextricably linked; an effective operating scenario reduces demand on key components. The critical challenge is to reduce recirculating power; if significant auxiliary heating or current drive is needed, this drives up required fusion power to run these systems, and thus size, heat flux, neutron load, and cost. The Advanced Tokamak concept addresses this through a fortuitous alignment of high plasma pressure operation with strong self-driven ‘bootstrap’ current and low turbulent transport. Here, research into transport, stability and energetic particle interactions has identified the key principles behind a solution. Further, new integrated physics simulations, the first combining TGLF core, EPED pedestal and appropriate current drive models, show the various trade-offs and path to optimize the approach. Higher pressure of course increases fusion performance. But increasing the density has greater leverage, raising the self-driven bootstrap current and thus decreasing demand for auxiliary current drive systems. Potential net-electric solutions are indicated at ~4m radius and ~6T using conventional superconductors. However, higher field, high Tc superconductors provide greater margin in attainable beta, density, safety factor and neutron load, as well as easier maintenance and thus higher duty cycle. The plasma exhaust is managed by a combination of core radiation, flux expansion and radiative divertor, tuned to ensure H mode sustainment. Divertor solutions similar to ITER are possible, but continuous operation may require a more advanced configuration to reduce erosion. Overall, studies show that well targeted research in the coming years could validate these concepts to provide the basis to proceed with a compact Advanced Tokamak power plant – this talk will set out the key physics and hardware considerations behind its design.
- Host: Ellen Zweibel
Tuesday, September 11th, 2018
- Chaos & Complex Systems Seminar
- A brief history of time(keeping): Optical atomic clocks and their applications
- Time: 12:05 pm - 1:00 pm
- Place: 4274 Chamberlin (refreshments will be served)
- Speaker: Shimon Kolkowitz, UW Department of Physics
- Abstract: Optical atomic clocks are now the most stable and accurate timekeepers in the world, with fractional accuracies equivalent to neither losing nor gaining a second over the entire age of the universe. This unprecedented level of metrological precision offers sensitivity to new physics phenomena, opening the door to exciting and unusual applications. This talk will provide an introduction to how and why time is measured from a historical perspective, with an emphasis on the recent development of optical atomic clocks and their applications. I will discuss recent progress on pushing clocks to even greater levels of precision, as well as prospects for future improvement. Finally, I will give a brief overview of potential future applications of clocks, including gravitational wave detection, tests of general relativity, and searches for physics beyond the Standard Model.
- Host: Clint Sprott
Wednesday, September 12th, 2018
- Garage Physics
- Garage Physics Kickoff
- Time: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
- Place: B613 STERLING HALL
- Speaker: Duncan Carlsmith, UW - Madison
- Abstract: Garage Physics is a place for independent student research and innovation. Students (grad or undergrad) or staff interested in projects, experimentation, new skills, and support should plan to attend.
- Host: Duncan Carlsmith/Brett Unks
Thursday, September 13th, 2018
- No events scheduled
Friday, September 14th, 2018
- Physics Department Colloquium
- Heusler interfaces - opportunities beyond spintronics
- Time: 3:30 pm
- Place: 2241 Chamberlin Hall
- Speaker: Jason Kawasaki, UW-Madison (Department of Materials Science and Engineering)
- Host: Alex Levchenko