Public defence in Engineering Physics, M.Sc. Filippo Zonta

Title of the doctoral thesis: Theoretical and numerical methods for kinetic simulation of plasmas

Doctoral student: Filippo Zonta
Opponent: Dr. Diego Del-Castillo-Negrete, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA
Custos: Prof. Mathias Groth, Aalto University School of Science, Department of Applied Physics

Cracking the Plasma Code: Advancements in Numerical Simulations for Fusion Energy

This study delved into plasma physics, focusing on plasmas in Tokamak devices, potential powerhouses of future clean energy. The research aimed to develop new theoretical and numerical methods for simulating and understanding plasma behavior, a crucial task with the upcoming ITER device. The research is highly relevant to plasma physics and fusion energy research, providing new tools for scientists to better understand and control plasma in Tokamak devices. 

A significant part of the study was the development of a new numerical code for the Landau equation. This code, which preserves energy and momentum, leverages GPU-computing for efficient scaling. It was validated against theoretical estimates, showing good agreement. Another major result was the introduction of the Backward Monte Carlo (BMC) scheme. This scheme improves the statistics of current simulations by integrating the probability of fast ions backward in time. It was implemented in the orbit following code ASCOT5, enabling high-performance simulations. 

This research brings new information on how to more accurately simulate plasma behavior in Tokamak devices. It provides a new perspective on the problem of fast ions and offers a solution for current and future fusion experiments. The information can be applied in the design and operation of Tokamak devices, including the ITER device. It can help scientists better predict and control plasma behavior, crucial for achieving fusion. The results show that with the right tools, we can significantly improve our understanding and control of plasmas in Tokamak devices, bringing us closer to making fusion energy a reality.

Thesis available for public display 10 days prior to the defence at: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/doc_public/eonly/riiputus/

Contact information:

Doctoral theses in the School of Science: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/52