Characterization of Edge Localized Modes in Tokamak Plasmas

To mimic the fusion of hydrogen nuclei in the sun as an energy source on Earth, fusion scientists have to deal with miniature solar flares in their nuclear fusion reactor. These 'Edge Localized Modes' (ELMs) can damage the wall of the reactor. Physicist Jurrian Boom from the FOM Institute DIFFER researched ELMs with a new detector in the fusion experiment ASDEX Upgrade and investigated what happens when magnetic coils are used to dampen the ELMs. Boom successfully defended his PhD thesis "Characterization of Edge Localized Modes in Tokamak Plasmas" on Wednesday 7 November at Eindhoven University of Technology.