PhD Scholarships in Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy – DTU Physics

Are you interested in contributing to solve the energy crisis by developing a clean sustainable energy source which replicates the Sun on Earth? Would you like to work in a team with a strong feeling of purpose and belonging? 

The section for Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy (PPFE) at Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is seeking highly motivated physicists or engineers to initiate a three-year PhD project in experimental and theoretical plasma physics. We are expanding our activities by designing an upgrade of the existing NORTH tokamak, building up a linear plasma device to study non-linear plasma physics, and initiating activities on microwave induced current drive for tokamaks. These activities are part of a newly funded centre for plasma physics funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and we need curious people to participate in this expansion. 

About the projects:

Project one
This project focus on the newly constructed linear plasma device, PACE (Plasma Cavity Experiment), at the Technical University of Denmark. The objective of this device is to investigate the nonlinear wave physics of electron cyclotron heating waves used in tokamak operations. Recent studies from large tokamaks indicate that electron cyclotron heating waves may interact nonlinearly with the plasma before reaching the final heating position. Newly developed models predict that a significant portion of the heating wave may be lost due to this effect.

The goal of this project is to experimentally validate these models at the PACE device. Part of the work will involve designing a helicon antenna for plasma generation and equipping PACE with microwave systems and diagnostics for plasma wave detection. Since the expected wave trapping is highly dependent on the density profile, special attention will be devoted to the development of reliable density diagnostics. Additionally, you are expected to participate in experiments on larger magnetically confined fusion devices in Europe, such as the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak at the Max Planck Institute in Germany and the TCV tokamak at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.

Project two
This project focus on the design and utilization of a Collective Thomson Scattering (CTS) diagnostic for fast-ion measurements on the Tokamak à Configuration Variable (TCV) at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Swiss Plasma Center in Lausanne. CTS is a highly versatile diagnostic technique for characterizing both thermal and non-thermal ions in fusion plasmas. The Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy Section of DTU Physics has extensive expertise in designing, developing, and utilizing such diagnostics across various contemporary fusion experiments.

Through modelling of microwave propagation in TCV-relevant plasmas, you will establish the optimal operating regime for the diagnostic and evaluate measurement performance based on synthetic CTS data. Furthermore, you will also participate in the operation of the diagnostic and ultimately assess the fast-ion velocity distribution in the TCV tokamak, comparing it against different fast-ion models. Additionally, the candidate will work on the CTS systems already in operation at the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak and the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator in Germany.

Project Three
This project focus on theoretical models for plasma wave propagation.  When the plasma density is high and the plasma frequency exceeds the electron cyclotron frequency, standard electron cyclotron resonance heating and current drive methods for tokamaks and stellarators become ineffective. In this scenario, a heating mechanism known as Electron Bernstein Wave (EBW) heating is proposed, which converts externally launched microwaves into longitudinal EBW waves within the plasma. At the wave conversion point, referred to as the upper-hybrid layer, the wave amplitude is amplified, and nonlinear wave excitation is likely to occur. Additionally, near high amplitude electric fields, the electron orbits can become chaotic, leading to a non-resonant stochastic heating process.

In this project, you will develop theoretical models to quantify the effects of non-resonant stochastic heating and various nonlinear wave-plasma interactions related to EBW heating. Special attention will be given to potential parametric decay instabilities, which are a focal point of the PPFE section at DTU. The results will be used to evaluate the conversion efficiency in EBW heating experiments planned for the MAST-Upgrade device in Oxfordshire, UK, as well as in the future Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP). Collaboration with Oxford University is anticipated.

What we offer:
Joining our team will provide you with numerous benefits, including:

• The opportunity to explore completely new regimes of physics