Tokamak à configuration variable

      The Tokamak à configuration variable ("variable configuration tokamak", TCV) is a research fusion reactor (tokamak) of the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne. Its particularity is that its torus section is three times higher than wide. This allows studying several shapes of plasmas, which is particularly relevant since the shape of the plasma has links to the performance of the reactor. The TCV was set up in November 1992.

Additional recommended knowledge

Correct Test Weight Handling Guide: 12 Practical Tips

Weighing the right way

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Characteristics

• Plasma height : 1,40 metre
• Inferior radius : 0,48 metre
• Superior radius : 0,875 metre
• Plasma current : 1,2 MA
• Plasma life span: 2 seconds maximum
• Toroidal magnetic field : 1,43 teslas
• Additional heat : 4,5 MWatts

Main studies

• Confinement studies
  • confinement function of the shape of the plasma (triangulas, square or long)
  • Improvement of the confinement of the core
• Studies on vertically long plasmas
• Studies with EHCR and EHCD (Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating & Current Drive)

History

• 1976 : First proposal for an elongated tokamak by the "New Swiss Association"
• 1985 : Second proposal, with a more elongated tokamak
• 1986 : Acceptance of the TCV proposal (Tokamak à Configuration Variable)
• 1992 : First plasma discharge
• 1997 : World record of plasma elongation

See also

• Minh Quang Tran

Magnetic confinement devices
ITER (International) | JET (European) | JT-60 (Japan) | Large Helical Device (Japan) | KSTAR (Korea) | EAST (China) | T-15 (Russia) | DIII-D (USA) | Tore Supra (France) | TFTR (USA) | NSTX (USA) | NCSX (USA) | UCLA ET (USA) | Alcator C-Mod (USA) | LDX (USA) | H-1NF (Australia) | MAST (UK) | START (UK) | ASDEX Upgrade (Germany) | Wendelstein 7-X (Germany) | TCV (Switzerland) | DEMO (Commercial)

Inertial confinement devices
Laser driven: — NIF (USA) | OMEGA laser (USA) | Nova laser (USA) | Novette laser (USA) | Nike laser (USA) | Shiva laser (USA) | Argus laser (USA) | Cyclops laser (USA) | Janus laser (USA) | Long path laser (USA) | 4 pi laser (USA) | LMJ (France) | Luli2000 (France) | GEKKO XII (Japan) | ISKRA lasers (Russia) | Vulcan laser (UK) | Asterix IV laser (Czech Republic) | HiPER laser (European)
Non-laser driven: — Z machine (USA) | PACER (USA)

See also: International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility