Detection by LIBS of the deuterium retained in the FTU toroidal limiter

In this paper the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) measurement of the deuterium (used as a proxy for tritium) retained in and the surface elemental composition of the FTU Mo (TZM) toroidal limiter tiles, carried out from remote (∼2.5 m) during short breaks of the operations or during machine maintenance, are reported. Single pulse technique has been used with the FTU vessel under high vacuum or in Nitrogen or Argon atmosphere. In vacuum experiments Dα and Hα lines have been detected with good resolution, while in Ar atmosphere (5 × 104 Pa) the two lines were partially overlapped due to Stark broadening. First results of measurements in N2 atmosphere (105 Pa) showed no presence of Dα and Hα lines. These measurements were also carried out for supporting the foreseen use of a robotic arm for an extended LIBS analysis of retained deuterium in the FTU vessel components. Keywords: LIBS, FTU tokamak, Toroidal limiter, Deuterium retentio

LIBS experiments for quantitative detection of retained fuel

Abstract Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) provides chemical information from atomic and ionic plasma emissions generated by laser vaporization of a sample. At the ENEA research center, in collaboration with IPPLM, an equipment has been set up to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the chemical composition of impurities deposited on Plasma Facing Components (PFC). The strength of the LIBS, for its capability of light elements detection, is fully exploited to determine the deuterium content since this element can be considered as the best choice proxy for tritium; the latter being is of great importance in assessing safe conditions to assure the continuous operation in nuclear fusion tokamak. Here we present the results of the Double Pulse LIBS (DP-LIBS) probing of deuterated samples with the simultaneous optical detection by medium-resolution and high-resolution spectrometer. Deuterium emission at 656.1 nm has been detected then the elemental composition has been quantified by applying the Calibration Free (CF) approach. The obtained results demonstrate that the DP-LIBS technique combined with CF analysis is suitable for the quantitative determination of tritium content inside the PFCs of next fusion devices like ITER

A multi-spectroscopic study for the characterization and definition of production techniques of German ceramic sherds

The aim of this archaeometric study is to recover information regarding technological processes and raw materials used for the production of ceramic sherds coming from five central and Eastern German sites, between Lower Saxony and Saxony states. The ceramic fragments have been investigated by a multi-spectroscopic approach: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), micro-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) were employed to characterize both ceramic bodies and glazes. Moreover the innovative application of Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) on ceramic findings has been proposed and evaluated. Chemical and mineralogical composition, as well as microstructure, of ceramic mixture and glaze are correlated to native material composition and firing temperature, which have become a fundamental features in archaeometric research and play a key role in understanding the provenance of the pottery and its production techniques.The multi-spectroscopic approach applied in this work has enabled the ability to characterize the ceramic sherds and to investigate through non-destructive techniques both ceramic glaze and matrix giving information regarding the raw materials and pigments/colourants used, and regarding firing temperature and technology. The present study carried on using complementary methods suggests different raw material sources and temperature kilns. These data are in agreement with the location of ceramic sites and with data in literature. Furthermore, the interesting results suggest that non-destructive techniques, such as LIF and Raman spectroscopy, are promising methods for ceramic and glaze characterization. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Plasma–wall interaction studies within the EUROfusion consortium : progress on plasma-facing components development and qualification

The provision of a particle and power exhaust solution which is compatible with first-wall components and edge-plasma conditions is a key area of present-day fusion research and mandatory for a successful o peration of ITER and DEMO. The work package plasma-facing components (WP PFC) within the European fusion programme complements with laboratory experiments, i.e. in linear plasma devices, electron and ion beam loading f acilities, the studies performed in toroidally confined magnetic devices, such as JET, ASDEX Upgrade, WEST etc. The connection of both groups is done via common physics and engineering studies, including the qualificat ion and specification of plasma-facing components, and by modelling codes that simulate edge-plasma conditions and the plasma–material interaction as well as the study of fundamental processes. WP PFC addresses these c ritical points in order to ensure reliable and efficient use of conventional, solid PFCs in ITER (Be and W) and DEMO (W and steel) with respect to heat-load capabilities (transient and steady-state heat and particle lo ads), lifetime estimates (erosion, material mixing and surface morphology), and safety aspects (fuel retention, fuel removal, material migration and dust formation) particularly for quasi-steady-state conditions. Alter native scenarios and concepts (liquid Sn or Li as PFCs) for DEMO are developed and tested in the event that the conventional solution turns out to not be functional. Here, we present an overview of the activities with an emphasis on a few key results: (i) the observed synergistic effects in particle and heat loading of ITER-grade W with the available set of exposition devices on material properties such as roughness, ductility and m icrostructure; (ii) the progress in understanding of fuel retention, diffusion and outgassing in different W-based materials, including the impact of damage and impurities like N; and (iii), the preferential sputtering of Fe in EUROFER steel providing an in situ W surface and a potential first-wall solution for DEMO.Peer reviewe

DTT - Divertor Tokamak Test facility: A testbed for DEMO

The effective treatment of the heat and power exhaust is a critical issue in the road map to the realization of the fusion energy. In order to provide possible, reliable, well assessed and on-time answers to DEMO, the Divertor Tokamak Test facility (DTT) has been conceived and projected to be carried out and operated within the European strategy in fusion technology. This paper, based on the invited plenary talk at the 31st virtual SOFT Conference 2020, provides an overview of the DTT scientific proposal, which is deeply illustrated in the 2019 DTT Interim Design Report

Overview of the FTU results

Since the 2018 IAEA FEC Conference, FTU operations have been devoted to several experiments covering a large range of topics, from the investigation of the behaviour of a liquid tin limiter to the runaway electrons mitigation and control and to the stabilization of tearing modes by electron cyclotron heating and by pellet injection. Other experiments have involved the spectroscopy of heavy metal ions, the electron density peaking in helium doped plasmas, the electron cyclotron assisted start-up and the electron temperature measurements in high temperature plasmas. The effectiveness of the laser induced breakdown spectroscopy system has been demonstrated and the new capabilities of the runaway electron imaging spectrometry system for in-flight runaways studies have been explored. Finally, a high resolution saddle coil array for MHD analysis and UV and SXR diamond detectors have been successfully tested on different plasma scenarios

Overview of the FTU results

Since the 2016 IAEA Fusion Energy Conference, FTU operations have been mainly devoted to experiments on runaway electrons and investigations into a tin liquid limiter; other experiments have involved studies of elongated plasmas and dust. The tearing mode onset in the high density regime has been studied by means of the linear resistive code MARS, and the highly collisional regimes have been investigated. New diagnostics, such as a runaway electron imaging spectroscopy system for in-flight runaway studies and a triple Cherenkov probe for the measurement of escaping electrons, have been successfully installed and tested, and new capabilities of the collective Thomson scattering and the laser induced breakdown spectroscopy diagnostics have been explored

The Italian multiple sclerosis register

The past decade has seen extraordinary increase in worldwide availability of and access to several large multiple sclerosis (MS) databases and registries. MS registries represent powerful tools to provide meaningful information on the burden, natural history, and long-term safety and effectiveness of treatments. Moreover, patients, physicians, industry, and policy makers have an active interest in real-world observational studies based on register data, as they have the potential to answer the questions that are most relevant to daily treatment decision-making. In 2014, the Italian MS Foundation, in collaboration with the Italian MS clinical centers, promoted and funded the creation of the Italian MS Register, a project in continuity with the existing Italian MS Database Network set up from 2001. Main objective of the Italian MS Register is to create an organized multicenter structure to collect data of all MS patients for better defining the disease epidemiology, improving quality of care, and promoting research projects in high-priority areas. The aim of this article is to present the current framework and network of the Italian MS register, including the methodology used to improve the quality of data collection and to facilitate the exchange of data and the collaboration among national and international groups

The Italian multiple sclerosis register

The past decade has seen extraordinary increase in worldwide availability of and access to several large multiple sclerosis (MS) databases and registries. MS registries represent powerful tools to provide meaningful information on the burden, natural history, and long-term safety and effectiveness of treatments. Moreover, patients, physicians, industry, and policy makers have an active interest in real-world observational studies based on register data, as they have the potential to answer the questions that are most relevant to daily treatment decision-making. In 2014, the Italian MS Foundation, in collaboration with the Italian MS clinical centers, promoted and funded the creation of the Italian MS Register, a project in continuity with the existing Italian MS Database Network set up from 2001. Main objective of the Italian MS Register is to create an organized multicenter structure to collect data of all MS patients for better defining the disease epidemiology, improving quality of care, and promoting research projects in high-priority areas. The aim of this article is to present the current framework and network of the Italian MS register, including the methodology used to improve the quality of data collection and to facilitate the exchange of data and the collaboration among national and international groups

DTT - Divertor Tokamak Test facility - Interim Design Report

The “Divertor Tokamak Test facility, DTT” is a milestone along the international program aimed at demonstrating – in the second half of this century – the feasibility of obtaining to commercial electricity from controlled thermonuclear fusion. DTT is a Tokamak conceived and designed in Italy with a broad international vision. The construction will be carried out in the ENEA Frascati site, mainly supported by national funds, complemented by EUROfusion and European incentive schemes for innovative investments. The project team includes more than 180 high-standard researchers from ENEA, CREATE, CNR, INFN, RFX and various universities. The volume, entitled DTT Interim Design Report (“Green Book” from the colour of the cover), briefly describes the status of the project, the planning of the design future activities and its organizational structure. The publication of the Green Book also provides an occasion for thorough discussions in the fusion community and a broad international collaboration on the DTT challenge