Fusion plasma turbulence research beyond the burning plasma era: perspectives on transport model validation in fusion and fission

Abstract

In fusion, the validation of turbulent transport models is undertaken with the goals of making basic physics discoveries as well as for development of new predictive models to improve the operation and enhance the performance of existing and future fusion reactors. A fusion industry is just beginning to emerge globally. Like fission, validation in fusion energy research is a vibrant research area, but unlike fusion, a fission industry exists. The fission power industry motivates validation efforts, often performed at universities with small-scale experiments and advanced models and simulations developed in-house. Because fission research spans basic physics and applications, and addresses near-term and long-term industry interests, validation is thriving. This perspective article describes the validation of turbulent transport models in both fusion research and fission research, draws parallels between the validation methods and techniques used in two areas of the fields, and presents an outlook for thriving university fusion and fission research programs underpinned by a virtual cycle of basic and applied research that supports industry needs as well as tackling intellectual grand challenges.