The student should acquire a basic knowledge of the physics of a magnetic fusion reactor. After the course, they should be able to: - Sketch the energy, mass and momentum balance for a fusion reactor - Understand the general properties of matter in the state of plasma, and know what additional peculiarities characterize plasma in a fusion environment - Understand the basic mechanisms of magnetic plasma confinement (both from the single particle orbit theory point of view and using the collective fluid description) - Understand the properties of mechanical equilibrium in a magnetically confined plasma - Understand the main mechanisms governing interaction with the fusion plasma and the external world - Understand the basic physics of particles and power exhaust in a fusion reactor and their critical importance for the overall machine For all the topics mentioned above, the students should also be able to produce simple numerical estimates, and to start proficient interaction with the relevant scientific community in case he/she develops interest for the subject.

The essential pre-requisite of the course is a good knowledge of the topics presented in the first two years of any Engineering BSc program. An introduction to nuclear engineering (like that provided, e.g., in the course “Elementi di ingegneria nucleare”) could be helpful, but is not mandatory.

* General introduction * Estimate of the parameters characterizing a possible fusion reactor * definition of a plasma: Debye length, plasma frequency, quasi-neutrality * motion of a single charged particle in the electromagnetic field * MHD equilibrium and stability * collisions in a plasma * particle and energy transport * performance of present tokamaks vs future reactors * plasma heating * Debye sheath and Bohm criterion; impurities; Scrape-Off Layer, 2-point model * Physics of power exhaust * Impurities physics * Practical experience of small tokamak plasma operation (GOLEM)

The teacher will try to organize a limited number of lectures/seminars given by external experts on selected topics. The detailed schedule and subject of these contributions will depend on the availability of the potential contributors. The teacher will broadcast complete information during the lecturing term as soon as possible.

The course will consist of theoretical lectures and of the practical solution of simple numerical problems. The students will also have the opportunity to perform an experimental session on GOLEM, a small tokamak operated in collaboration with the Czech Technical University in Prague.

Reference textbooks • J.P. Freidberg, Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy, Cambridge University Press, 2007 • Peter C. Stangeby, The Plasma Boundary of Magnetic Fusion Devices, Institute of Physics Publishing, 2000

Lecture notes; Exercise with solutions ; Video lectures (previous years);

Exam: Written test; Optional oral exam; Individual essay;

The examination will consist of two independent parts: Part 1: The knowledge acquired during the lectures will be tested by two question times taken during the class itself. The question times will consist of a set of multiple-choice questions. For each test, students are required to answer correctly to at least 60% of the proposed questions. Failing to do that, will result in the need to repeat the test at the end of the course. Students answering correctly to more than 60% of the questions will be eligible for obtaining the final grade, without any extra bonus. Students answering correctly to more than 80% of the proposed questions will be eligible for obtaining the final grade and will receive an extra bonus of 1 point. As an example, a few of the possible outcomes are listed here: Test 1 < 60%, Test 2 < 60 %: both tests will be repeated Test 1 < 60%, Test 2 > 60 %: test 1 will be repeated Test 1 < 60%, Test 2 > 80 %: test 1 will be repeated. An extra-bonus “+1” will be added to the final score Test 1 > 60%, Test 2 > 80 %: The student is eligible for the final evaluation. An extra-bonus “+1” will be added to the final score The extra-bonus will be granted also if the relevant score > 80% is obtained not at the first attempt. Part 2: The second part aims at assessing the competences acquired during the lectures and is also divided in two sub-steps. a. The student will be assigned a small project dealing with the analysis of experimental data collected during the GOLEM experience. This project will receive a score S_a ranging from 0 to 30. b. The student will be assigned a second project dealing with the topics discussed during the main part of the lectures. This project will first be evaluated by the teaching team, and it will receive a score S_b ranging from 0 to 30. In case of S_b > 25, the student will also be required to discuss orally the project work with the teaching team. This discussion will then confirm or modify the value S_b The final score of part 2 will be determined as S = 0.075 S_a + 0.925 S_b (the different weights reflect the time devoted in the class at the different topics. The extra bonus possibly gathered in Part 1 will then be added to S, to define the final grade. In case a student performs successfully Part 1 or Part 2 only, the final result will be frozen until the missing contribution will become available. There will be no need to repeat the steps which the student have already gone through successfully.

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.