Scientific breakthrough by Bulgarian scientists leads to change in the study of physical processes in thermonuclear fusion

Dr. Jernej Kovačič

Scientists at the BAS Institute of Electronics have developed a device called the Retarding Field Analyzer which is used to conduct experiments to achieve controlled fusion. The device has been installed on a tokamak in France and has produced results that will, for the first time, cause changes in the modelling of physical processes.

Assoc. Prof. Pavlina Ivanova, head of the team that has invented the Retarding Field Analyzer

Unique research from the measurement of ion temperature in the WEST tokamak divertor was presented during the 24th edition of the International School of Vacuum, Electron and Ion Technologies. Dr. Jernej Kovačić from the University of Ljubljana announced the results of the work of the international team including scientists from four European countries – Bulgaria, France, the Czech Republic and Slovenia. In his lecture to the forum participants, he talked about the scientific breakthrough of the researchers who measured the ion temperature in the divertor of the WEST tokamak. The team proved that the temperature of ions is several times higher than that of electrons. It had always been assumed in model calculations that those temperatures were equal; the result would lead to big changes in modeling the actual physical processes. The main goal of the experiments being conducted is to achieve controlled thermonuclear fusion which is one of the most promising future energy sources.

The International School of Vacuum, Electron and Ion Technologies was held from 15 to 19 September in Sozopol. The event was organised by the Institute of Electronics of BAS and the Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research in Eindhoven. The forum was attended by 112 scientists from England, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Ukraine, France, Czech Republic and Japan. Thirty-three young scientists and students also participated in the school. The production of graphene and its application in so-called “smart” glasses was among the topics presented. The results achieved are promising for the mass production of high-quality double-glazing units for the household and automotive industries.