The experimental and theoretical research activity of the Istituto di Fisica del
Plasma "Piero Caldirola" is mainly focused on the physics of the interaction of
electromagnetic waves with laboratory plasmas. Research in this field is essential
in providing the means for plasma heating in magnetized plasmas in fusion devices
and in developing diagnostic methods appropriate both to laboratory and space.
The technological research is mainly dedicated to the use of plasma-materials
interaction for processing toxic or dangerous waste, and for modification of the
physical-chemical surface properties of various materials. In the frame of the ENEA-CNR-Euratom Association, an important part of the research activity is devoted to study and carry out experiments of high frequency electron cyclotron (EC) wave - plasma interaction at high power level in magnetized plasmas; as a specific device the FTU tokamak (ENEA, Frascati) is considered.
Through contracts sponsored by the European Fusion Development Agency
(EFDA), several theoretical and design studies have been carried out for new millimiter waves diagnostics systems (ECE, reflectometry) and for auxiliary RF power dump CW devices for the ITER reactor project.
A significant part of professional work has been devoted by IFP scientific staff to the responsibility of proposing, coordinating and executing experiments on the European tokamaks JET (EFDA), ASDEX-U (IPP Max-Planck, D). The personnel costs of this activity are financially supported by Euratom with percentages from 20% to 100%. The goal for the future is the participation to the R&D and scientific activity for the reactor project
ITER, foreseen in the VI European Framework program (FP6), through the
acquisition of contracts appropriate for the IFP competence.
IFP has many scientific collaboration links with Italian Universities (Milan, Como, Pavia, Pisa, Turin) and Research Institutes (CRE ENEA Frascati, Consorzio RFX Padova), as well as several foreign Universities and Institutes (IPP (D), CRPP (CH), IST-CFN (P), CEA (F), UKAEA (GB), Chalmers U.T. (S), Uppsala U. (S), U. Saskatchewan (Can), Russian Academy of Sciences (Ru)). There is also a continuous collaboration with foreign scientists through a Visiting Scientist programme. Other R&D works for the calibration of antennas are performed under contract with the LFI consortium. The applied research line includes experiments with thermal and RF generated plasmas, analysis of tokamak first wall surface material by use of state-of-art equipment, R&D of a new type of ion species eparation technique using RF ponderomotive effects in a magnetic cusp, and R&D research on methods of plasma modifications of physical-chemical properties of surfaces of various materials. The results of this last research, supported by national industries, have been patented.
Focus