Journal Article

FZJ-2026-02386

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Persistence of deuterium and tritium nuclear spin-polarization in presence of high-frequency plasma waves

Cook, J. W. S. (Corresponding author) ; Ali, H. ; Parisi, J. F. ; Diallo, A. ; Faatz, N.FZJ*

2026
IAEA Vienna

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1088/1741-4326/ae5ab8  doi:10.34734/FZJ-2026-02386

Abstract: We present first-principles numerical calculations of the depolarization rate of spin-polarizeddeuterium and tritium nuclei in realistic tokamak plasmas, driven by resonant interactions withplasma waves. Backed up by first-of-a-kind linear and nonlinear simulations, we find that alphaparticle-driven Alfvénic modes cause only negligible depolarization, which is contrary toexpectations in prior literature. Other Alfvénic instabilities can in principle degradepolarization, but only under conditions unlikely to be realized on transport timescales. Bycombining full-orbit particle tracing with a dedicated depolarization solver, we demonstrate thatwave-driven depolarization is surprisingly weak in SPARC and ITER-scale devices. Theseresults provide strong evidence that spin-polarized fuel can maintain its polarization longenough to boost fusion reactivity, opening a viable path toward substantially enhancedperformance in magnetic confinement fusion power plants.

Keyword(s): Nuclei and Particles (1st) ; Nuclear Physics (2nd)

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Experimentelle Hadrondynamik (IKP-2)

Research Program(s):

1. 612 - Cosmic Matter in the Laboratory (POF4-612) (POF4-612)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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