Entry requirements

120 credits in science and technology including Electromagnetic Field Theory and Nuclear Physics. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to

• discuss mechanisms behind thermonuclear fusion,
• analyse energy released from fusion- and fission-reactions,
• apply different models to describe plasmas in varying situations,
• formulate the conditions for a plasma to be in a state of a perfect or a non-perfect thermodynamic equilibrium, analyse the stability of this equilibrium and account for the most important plasma instabilities,
• discuss and weigh different techniques to store fusionplasmas,
• explain and weigh different energy sources contribution to the energy suppy today and in the future and describe technology and cost via thermodynamic efficiency and material choices.   

Content

Fusion reactions, description of reaction cross-sections using quantum mechanics, basic plasma physics, equilibrium and plasma instabilities. Fundamentals of the kinetic description of plasma, magnetic confinement, tokamak physics, fusion technology.

Different energy sources and energy storage methods and how they can be described in thermodynamic terms: fossil fuels, biofuel, hydropower, wind power, solar power, nuclear power, fusion power. Batteries, thermal storage, phase-change storage, chemical storage.

Instruction

Lectures and tutorials.

Assessment

Oral exam. Oral and written presentation of home assignments.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.