For fusion energy systems to operate safely and consistently, researchers must closely track the behavior of superheated plasma fuel. Important properties such as temperature and density directly affect whether a fusion reaction can be sustained. Measuring these extreme conditions requires sophisticated equipment known as diagnostic equipment, which acts as the eyes and ears within the fusion device.
A new report backed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) calls for increased investment in the nation’s fusion diagnostic capabilities. The document argues that improvements to these tools are essential to providing DOE and Congress with the data needed to accelerate the development of commercial fusion power plants.
DOE Workshop on Measurement Innovation
This report stems from the Department of Energy’s 2024 Basic Research Needs Workshop on Measurement Innovations, organized through the Department of Science’s Fusion Energy Science (FES) program. Luis Delgado Aparicio, director of advanced projects at DOE’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), chaired the effort, and co-chaired Sean Regan, director of experiments at the University of Rochester’s Laser Energy Laboratory.
Participants included experts from universities, private companies, and national laboratories such as PPPL. Their goal was to determine which diagnostic and measurement technologies are most urgently needed to maintain U.S. leadership in fusion energy and plasma science. The workshop also supported the goal of DOE’s Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap to “provide the science and technology foundation to support a competitive U.S. fusion energy industry, with goals for actions and milestones by the mid-2030s.”
“Measurement innovations have led and will continue to lead to scientific and engineering breakthroughs in DOE’s FES-supported plasma science and technology activities, particularly in fusion energy science,” said Delgado Aparicio. “This new report provides substantive findings across seven key areas of plasma and fusion science and technology. We believe this report will have a meaningful impact on both the public and private fusion communities.”
“The findings in this report demonstrate the critical role diagnostics play in advancing fusion energy science,” Regan said. “By investing in innovative measurement technologies, we can accelerate progress toward commercial fusion energy and strengthen America’s leadership in plasma science.”
Seven priority areas of plasma physics
Seventy researchers contributed to this report, which reviewed seven major plasma physics topics funded by DOE’s FES program.
- Low temperature plasma.
- High energy density plasma.
- Interaction of plasma and matter.
- Combustion plasma produced by magnetic confinement fusion (MCF).
- Combustion plasma produced by inertial confinement fusion (ICF).
- Fusion pilot power plant based on MCF.
- Fusion power plant based on ICF.
These fields range from basic plasma science to the design of future fusion power plants.
More robust sensors, faster measurements, and AI tools
Experts have identified several ways the federal government can strengthen the nation’s ability to effectively measure plasma. One of the priorities is developing diagnostics that can withstand the intense radiation levels expected within future fusion power plants. The other is to create new techniques that can capture very fast events that occur during ICF experiments.
The report also highlights the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline the design of advanced measurement systems. Additionally, there is a need to build a strong talent pipeline to attract and train the next generation of diagnostic scientists. These capabilities not only support fusion energy, but also strengthen the broader plasma technology ecosystem that contributes to U.S. economic competitiveness.
“Lewis and I would like to thank the members of our working group and the broader community for their dedication and hard work in compiling this report,” Regan said. “Their expertise and collaboration helped us identify the critical innovations needed to advance diagnostic technology.”
Main recommendations for accelerating fusion innovation
This report outlines several key recommendations.
- Accelerate innovation: Accelerate advancements in measurement technology by validating and validating modeling code, AI and machine learning tools, and digital twins.
- Establish a national network: Create a coordinated measurement innovation community modeled after LaserNetUS (possibly called CalibrationNetUS).
- Form a national team: Bring together national groups to efficiently translate new measurement concepts into effective diagnostics.
- Standardize calibration: Take a more systematic approach to calibrating diagnostic equipment.
- Transfer knowledge to the private sector: Share public sector diagnostic expertise and operational experience with private convergence companies.
- Invest in your talent pipeline: Expand workforce development efforts to meet the needs of fusion pilot plants.
- Plan your remote operations now: Upcoming workshops will address diagnostic tools needed for remote operation and maintenance of future fusion facilities.
About the report
The full report and summary are available online.
Delgado Aparicio and Regan led the project with guidance from Kurt Bolton of FES. Working groups developed individual chapters. A team from the Oak Ridge Institute for Science Education helped organize the workshop. Editorial and project management support was provided by PPPL’s Communications Department, including B. Rose Huber, Rafael Rosen, and Kelly Lorraine Andrews. Art direction and design was led by Michael Branigan of Sandbox Studio, with illustrations by Ariel Davis.
