From theory to hands-on: teaching experimental plasma physics using small plasma devices at DTU

At the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), we have in recent years acquired or developed three small plasma devices. These consist of a small tokamak (NORTH), an inertial electrostatic confinement device, and a linear plasma device. This has enabled a restructuring of our teaching in plasma physi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of physics 2022-11, Vol.43 (6), p.65803
Main Authors: Rasmussen, Jesper, Grulke, Olaf, Nielsen, Stefan Kragh
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
electrostatically confined plasmas
experimental plasma physics
fusion engineering physics
fusion technology
magnetically confined plasmas
plasma physics education
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Summary:At the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), we have in recent years acquired or developed three small plasma devices. These consist of a small tokamak (NORTH), an inertial electrostatic confinement device, and a linear plasma device. This has enabled a restructuring of our teaching in plasma physics and nuclear fusion, allowing courses with a dedicated experimental focus. Here we describe the use of these devices in our teaching of fusion plasma physics, with particular emphasis on their integration in a new experimental Master’s level course. We also present examples of BSc and MSc projects completed at these experiments and offer some didactic reflections on student learning during our courses and projects. Our experience so far has validated the potential for student-driven activities at all levels to make useful scientific contributions to the experimental study of laboratory plasmas.
ISSN:0143-0807
1361-6404
DOI:10.1088/1361-6404/ac93c4