
Scientists are working to solve the problem of runaway electrons in fusion reactions, which can damage the walls of fusion reactors. Recent research is bringing progress toward addressing this challenge, according to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
In a tokamak, fusion reactions can create runaway electrons that form damaging beams directed at the reactor surfaces. "These electrons can possess as much as 100,000 times more energy than the bulk electron population, so the beam becomes highly energetic and can cause significant damage," said Chang Liu from the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. However, simulations on the Summit supercomputer suggest that electromagnetic waves could scatter these electrons, preventing them from becoming harmful, as reported by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Liu and his team have made major strides in fusion energy research using Summit, and are now working to adapt their code for the next supercomputer, Frontier. "With the computational power and huge memory available with Frontier, we can include more particles and their interactions in the model and simulate the whole process in a much more realistic way,” Liu explained. Frontier's advanced capabilities will allow for more detailed simulations to improve strategies for controlling runaway electrons. This research aligns with experiments at the Department of Energy’s D-III National Fusion Facility and is supported by the DOE's Advanced Scientific Computing Research and Fusion Energy Sciences programs. With continued progress, practical fusion energy is becoming more attainable, as stated by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.