| Career Summary |
1978: Graduated, Faculty of Science, The University of Tokyo
1983: Doctor of Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1983: Postdoctoral Associate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1984: Research Scientist, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1992: Principal Research Scientist, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1997: Professor, The University of Tokyo
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| Educational Activities |
Graduate school: Plasma Wave Physics, Plasma Physics I
Undergraduate school: Fluid Mechanics
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| Research Activities |
Our research group is performing experimental research on high-temperature plasmas with the aim of realizing fusion energy. Plasmas are collections of charged particles (ions and electrons), and they exhibit collective motion under the influence of externally imposed and self-generated electromagnetic fields, and they are typical examples of nonlinear complex systems. In addition to being important for fusion research, plasmas are also interesting physical entities in their own right. The greatest problems that need to be solved in fusion research is establishing a method to confine a plasma with a sufficiently high density for a long enough time, and to efficiently heat the plasma to very high temperatures (approximately 100 million degrees). In our laboratory, research is performed using the TST-2 spherical tokamak, which was constructed in 1999 (Ref. 1). Research topics include: development of a new method to start up the plasma without using a central solenoid (CS) (Refs. 2-3), development of heating and current drive techniques using radiofrequency (RF) waves (Refs. 4-6), study of plasma instabilities and methods for their suppression, and energy and particle transport processes and methods for their control. Fusion devices are becoming larger in scale, as exemplified by the next-step fusion experimental facility, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), which is being constructed under international collaboration. Using a new confinement concept, the spherical tokamak (ST) is capable of producing high-performance plasmas in a compact device, and may provide a way to realize an economically competitive fusion reactor. As a result, ST research is making a rapid progress globally. Based on our past research achievements (Refs. 7-11), research at our laboratory focuses primarily on plasma heating and current drive by radiofrequency waves, plasma performance improvement (in plasma confinement and stability at high plasma pressures), and plasma start-up without using the central solenoid, which is indispensable for realizing a fusion reactor based on the ST concept. In addition, various diagnostics for high-temperature plasmas based on a variety of physical processes are being developed.
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Literature
1) Y. Takase, et al., Nucl. Fusion 41, 1543 (2001).
2) S. Shiraiwa, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 035001 (2004).
3) M. Ushigome, et al., Nucl. Fusion 46, 207 (2006).
4) S. Shiraiwa, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 185003 (2006).
5) A. Ejiri, et al., Nucl. Fusion 46, 709 (2006).
6) Y. Takase, et al., Nucl. Fusion 46, S598 (2006).
7) Y. Takase, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 53, 274 (1984)
8) Y. Takase, et al., Nucl. Fusion 27, 53 (1987).
9) Y. Takase, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 59, 1201 (1987).
10) Y. Takase, et al., Nucl. Fusion 32, 2246 (1992).
11) Y. Takase, et al., Phys. Plasmas 4, 1647 (1997).
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| Other Activities |
American Physics Society (APS)
Physical Society of Japan (JPS)
Japan Society for Plasma and Fusion Research (JSPF)
Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan (IEEJ)
Fusion Energy Forum of Japan
Fusion Plasma Joint Planning Committee (JAEA)
Chair, JT-60SA Expert Committee (JAEA)
Fusion Science Network (NIFS)
Japan-US Scientific Collaboration Fusion Area Research Planning Committee (JSPS)
Council for Science and Technology Expert Committee (MEXT)
MAST Program Advisory Committee (EURATOM/UKAEA Fusion Association)
Chair, ST Bi-Directional Collaboration Promotion Expert Subcommittee (NIFS)
ST Implementing Agreement Executive Committee (IEA)
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| Future Plan |
Research and education at Graduate School of Frontier Sciences are centered on experimental research of collective phenomena in high-temperature plasmas using the TST-2 spherical tokamak. In experimental fusion plasma physics, it is extremely important for students to learn how to operate the experiment and to control the plasma. TST-2 is a unique and valuable research and educational facility in the world, which provides students with the opportunity to control all aspects of a serious fusion plasma experimental device. Through performing experimental research using this device, we aim to train young scientists and provide them with comprehensive experience so that they can become world leaders. We also strive to gain a comprehensive understanding of the physics of collective phenomena in high-temperature plasmas through collaborative research on larger, world-class fusion experiments including the JT-60U tokamak at JAEA, the LHD helical device at NIFS, the NSTX spherical tokamak at PPPL (USA), and the MAST spherical tokamak at UKAEA Fusion Association (UK). In addition, our group provides leadership in the ITER Project, JT-60SA Project, and All-Japan ST Research Program, and we will continue to play central roles in the fields of plasma physics and nuclear fusion research.
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| Messages to Students |
Fusion is a promising candidate for a future energy source. Japan has a large population and high energy consumption, but it is poor in energy resources. Thus, realization of fusion energy is particularly important for Japan. Japan has been leading the world with top-level research in this area. The next-step research of fusion burning plasmas has exceeded the scale of a national project, and has been launched as an international collaboration project. Our laboratory aims to train world-class leaders who can lead international collaboration research projects, and we seek active, motivated students. The activities of our laboratory are summarized on our homepage (http://fusion.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp).
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