Advancing measurement and control systems for fusion energy.
ORNL’s Diagnostics and Control Group is leading efforts to develop and validate innovative measurement and control capabilities essential for understanding the complex and challenging environments of a fusion reactor.
Fusion systems of the future will depend on high-fidelity diagnostics and intelligent control systems to collect and interpret data. Driven by the challenge of delivering diagnostic and control systems that can operate reliably in fusion reactors, the group's research seeks to study interactions between plasma and the surrounding device environment and guide decisions for actuator control.
Supporting the global fusion research community.
The group supports a range of experimental platforms and projects across the international fusion ecosystem:
- Designs, installs, operates, and analyzes data from diagnostic systems
- Leads the fabrication of diagnostic and control systems—hardware and software—for fusion facilities, and
- Prepares for and supports operational commissioning and early experimentation in new plasma systems.
The majority of the group’s current work is in support of ORNL’s Materials Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX), and is responsible for fabricating the device’s diagnostic and control systems, in addition to making preparations for the project’s commissioning and first experiments.
Collaborative projects and global Impact
The Diagnostics and Control Group works with collaborators across multiple institutions, highlighting their role as a trusted technical partner across the fusion energy community. Current projects include:
- Leading diagnostic and control system design, fabrication, and operations planning for MPEX
- Installing and contributing to the use of the Diagnostic Residual Gas Analyzer (DRGA) to control burning plasma conditions for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) organization.
- Measuring plasma response to applied rf power in the Tungsten (W) Environment in Steady-state Tokamak (WEST)
- Characterizing plasma properties for experimental condition in the Wisconsin High-field Axisymmetric Mirror (WHAM)
- Testing innovative spectroscopic techniques at unprecedented accuracy in the DIII-D National Fusion Facility
- Demonstrating long-pulse measurement capability for neutral gases in the Wendelstein 7-X (W7X)
- Exploring the performance of plasma-facing ceramics and metal-oxide coatings in Plasma Interaction with Surface and Components – Radio Frequency (PICES-RF)
- Fielding enabling technologies for MPEX in the Proto-Lite device at ORNL
Technical achievements and highlights
MPEX Commissioning Support
Establishing the MPEX device for first-plasma operations and planning transition to scientific use.
ITER DRGA Integration
Delivered robust gas analyzer systems to inform control of ITER’s burning plasma regime.
Portable Diagnostics
Built adaptable, affordable, and reliable diagnostic platforms for rapid deployment to a wide range of fusion experiments.
Building the future of fusion diagnostics and control.
The Diagnostics and Control Group remains focused on advancing the tools and technologies guiding fusion research and operations. By building resilient, integrated, and high-performance systems, the Group is helping unlock the full potential of fusion energy.