Page 444 - AWSAR 2.0

420 || AWSAR Awarded Popular Science Stories - 2019
of a magnetic field. The experimental setup I am working on resembles the ion-cyclotron heating system. The study has a direct implication in fusion devices, increasing the efficiency of heating drives. This experimental setup is developed in the Magnetized Plasma Development Lab, Fundamental Plasma Physics Division in the Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar. The group is devoted towards the investigation of the magnetized plasma in different reactor geometries and in-house developments of measurement tools and techniques. Measurement of plasma parameters, such as density and temperature, is not straightforward to measure in the presence of a magnetic field. The group is led by Dr Shantanu Kumar Karkari and has shown tremendous achievements in establishing the various probes techniques, models and theory to have a deeper insight into the complex plasma dynamics in the presence of a magnetic field. Like our group,
the worldwide scientific community is involved in understanding the different aspects of the fusion device and trying to solve the problems and challenges coming in the path. It is not just a physics problem, but a multidisciplinary area where inputs from all branches of fundamental as well as applied science are required. A famous plasma physicist Taina Kurki-Suonio once said, ‘Physics is like a jigsaw puzzle. Tiny little pieces need to be slotted one by one into a huge puzzle to know how the world works.’ We have tried to put forward a tiny piece of this jigsaw puzzle.
ITER is one of the biggest and most expensive mega-science ventures of the 21st century. It is almost 65% complete and aims to create the plasma by 2025. The success of this experiment will be path-breaking in the field of science and rewarding to society and mankind. We hope that efforts of the global scientific community will show some positive sparkling colours.