The first experimental evidence showing the connection between blob/hole formation and zonal-flow generation was obtained in the edge plasma of the JET tokamak. Holes as well as blobs are observed to be born in the edge shear layer, where zonal-flows shear off meso-scale coherent structures, leading to disconnection of positive and negative pressure perturbations. The newly formed blobs transport azimuthal momentum up the gradient of the azimuthal flow and drive the zonal-flow shear while moving outwards. During this process energy is transferred from the meso-scale coherent structures to the zonal flows via the turbulent Reynolds stress, resulting in nonlinear saturation of edge turbulence and suppression of meso-scale fluctuations. These findings carry significant implications for the mechanism of structure formation in magnetically confined plasma turbulence.

This paper presents the experimental characterization of pedestal parameters, edge localized mode (ELM) energy, and particle losses from the main plasma and the corresponding ELM energy fluxes on plasma facing components for a series of dedicated experiments in the Joint European Torus (JET). From these experiments, it is demonstrated that the simple hypothesis relating the peeling-ballooning linear instability to ELM energy losses is not valid. Contrary to previous observations at lower triangularities, small energy losses at low collisionality have been obtained in regimes at high plasma triangularity and ${\mathrm{q}}_{95}\text{∼4.5,}$ indicating that the edge plasma magnetohydrodynamic stability is linked with the transport mechanisms that lead to the loss of energy by conduction during type I ELMs. Measurements of the ELM energy fluxes on the divertor target show that their time scale is linked to the ion transport along the field and the formation of a high energy sheath, in agreement with kinetic modeling of ELMs. Higher density ELMs, of a convective nature, lead to overall much longer time scales for the ELM energy flux, with more than 80% of the ELM energy flux arriving after the surface divertor temperature has reached its maximum value. On the contrary, for low density ELMs, of a conductive nature, up to 40% of the energy flux arrives at the divertor target before the surface divertor temperature has reached its maximum value. These large and more conductive ELMs may lead to up to ∼50% of the ELM energy reaching the main wall plasma facing components instead of the divertor target. The extrapolation to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor of the obtained results is described and the main uncertainties discussed.

For the past several years, the JET scientific programme (Pamela et al 2007 Fusion Eng. Des. 82 590) has been engaged in a multi-campaign effort, including experiments in D, H and T, leading up to 2020 and the first experiments with 50%/50% D–T mixtures since 1997 and the first ever D–T plasmas with the ITER mix of plasma-facing component materials. For this purpose, a concerted physics and technology programme was launched with a view to prepare the D–T campaign (DTE2). This paper addresses the key elements developed by the JET programme directly contributing to the D–T preparation. This intense preparation includes the review of the physics basis for the D–T operational scenarios, including the fusion power predictions through first principle and integrated modelling, and the impact of isotopes in the operation and physics of D–T plasmas (thermal and particle transport, high confinement mode (H-mode) access, Be and W erosion, fuel recovery, etc). This effort also requires improving several aspects of plasma operation for DTE2, such as real time control schemes, heat load control, disruption avoidance and a mitigation system (including the installation of a new shattered pellet injector), novel ion cyclotron resonance heating schemes (such as the three-ions scheme), new diagnostics (neutron camera and spectrometer, active Alfvèn eigenmode antennas, neutral gauges, radiation hard imaging systems…) and the calibration of the JET neutron diagnostics at 14 MeV for accurate fusion power measurement. The active preparation of JET for the 2020 D–T campaign provides an incomparable source of information and a basis for the future D–T operation of ITER, and it is also foreseen that a large number of key physics issues will be addressed in support of burning plasmas.

One of the greatest challenges in the commercialization of graphene and derivatives is production of high quality material in bulk quantities at low price and in a reproducible manner. The very limited control, or even lack of, over the synthesis process is one of the main problems of conventional approaches. Herein, we present a microwave plasma-enabled scalable route for continuous, large-scale fabrication of free-standing graphene and nitrogen doped graphene sheets. The method’s crucial advantage relies on harnessing unique plasma mechanisms to control the material and energy fluxes of the main building units at the atomic scale. By tailoring the high energy density plasma environment and complementarily applying in situ IR and soft UV radiation, a controllable selective synthesis of high quality graphene sheets at 2 mg/min yield with prescribed structural qualities was achieved. Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Near Edge X-ray-absorption fine-structure spectroscopy were used to probe the morphological, chemical and microstructural features of the produced material. The method described here is scalable and show a potential for controllable, large-scale fabrication of other graphene derivatives and promotes microwave plasmas as a competitive, green, and cost-effective alternative to presently used chemical methods.