National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS)
National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS)

Peer Review Reports in FY2007

March, 2008
NIFS Administrative Council External Peer Review Committee

Contents
Chapter 1Peer Review Report on Large Helical Device (LHD) Research ･･････ 1
1.1
Summaries and Recommendations ･･･････････････････････････ 1
1.1.1
Summaries of the Review ･･･････････････････････････････ 1
1.1.2
Recommendations ･････････････････････････････････････ 7

Chapter 2Peer Review Report on Simulation Research ･･････････････ 8

2.1
Summaries and Recommendations ･･･････････････････････････ 8
2.1.1
Summaries of the Review ･･･････････････････････････････ 8
2.1.2
Recommendations ････････････････････････････････････ 14

Chapter 3

Summary ･･･････････････････････････････････････････････ 16

Chapter 1
1.1
1.1.1

Peer Review Report on Large Helical Device (LHD) Research

Summaries and Recommendations
Summaries of the Review

Following is the Summary of opinions of the External Peer Review Committee members
about reviews made from the eight indispensable perspectives based on reviews for theachievement as well as research standard of the Large Helical Device (LHD) project, of which
the National Institute for Fusion Science is charged in the Mid-Term Plan defined by the
National Institutes of National Sciences, the Inter-University Research Institute. [1] to [4] are
the terms printed in the Mid-Term Plan, and [5] and [6] are the related terms.
[1]
By achieving things written below, did we succeed in an academic systematization
and also produce outstanding results that led the world in the field of nuclear fusion
science as well as in the fields like plasma physics and fusion engineering that are thebasis of nuclear fusion science to actualize the fusion energy?
(1)
Did we succeed in enhancing the plasma performance to see through the nuclear
fusion core plasmas?
In LHD, specific goals for the plasma performance were defined upon its construction tosolve five critical research issues. Toward these goals, necessary equipment has been
provided: buildup of NBI, development of the pellet injection device, and so on. As a result,generation of ultra-high density plasmas (1.1*1021m-3), high β value (5%), long-pulse plasma
sustention (54min), and high central ion temperature (6.8 keV) as well as high central electron
temperature (10keV) have been achieved. These results can be rated high from the aspect toimprove the plasma performance to see through the nuclear fusion core plasmas.
The performance is being steadily improved such as the increase in nuclear fusion triple
products and in electron and ion temperatures. Their progress is said to be a big advance fromthe aspect that proposes a new approach toward the realization of helical-type nuclear fusion
reactor. Further advance in performance can be expected when the deuterium experimentstarts.
On the other hand, the heating power is considered insufficient in the long-pulse
demonstration experiment. A reasonable reinforcement plan for heating devices is necessary.
(2)
Did we properly carry out the academic scientific research for the comprehensive
understanding of torus plasmas and the actualization of nuclear fusion core plasmas?

1

The actualization of nuclear fusion core plasmas requires enough confinement ofhigh-temperature high-density plasmas. Furthermore, magnetohydrodynamically stablehigh-beta plasmas are necessary to design an economic fusion reactor. From theseperspectives, the fact that varieties of academic research toward the comprehensive
understanding of torus plasmas—namely the high-density high-beta plasma confinement
research, the research in pressure-drive magnetohydrodynamic instability, the research in ITB(internal transport barrier) and the zonal flow to improve confinement, and so on—are carriedout in the LHD research by using the accurate diagnosis of plasma parameters while inconsideration of the comparison with tokamak can be highly valued.
In the meantime, it will be much expected that the research in recycling control by aclosed diverter would make further contribution to the comprehensive understanding of atorus plasma confinement. Also, clarification of the mechanism of impurity hole found in
LHD and intensification of activities of theory and data analysis for the edge plasma behavior
will be anticipated as well.
[2]

To carry out the perspective [1], did we perform the following?

(1)
Did we properly carry out the maintenance and intensification of heating devices
as well as diagnostic devices and the improvement of devices?
Intensive investments for the development of the low-energy perpendicular NBI for the
purpose of an increase in the direct heating power to ions, particle supply to the plasma core,and high-accuracy ion temperature distribution diagnostics brought forth the achievement ofhigh central ion temperature and the discovery of impurity hole. The development of acontinuous serial pellet injection device enabled a long-pulse sustention experiment for thehigh-density high-confinement discharge. Also, in addition to the performance upgrading androutine diagnosis of fundamental diagnostic devices like the Thomson scattering device andthe carbonic acid gas laser interferometer, the development of a high-accuracy charge
exchange recombination spectroscopy, an imaging interferometer that utilizes carbonic acidgas lasers, and a tracer-encapsulated pellet injection method enhanced a plasma diagnostic
technology to contribute to the elucidation of a plasma behavior. The upgrade of heating
devices and diagnostics as well as their improvement are the results of a proper research planand the consequences of research and development that executed the plan accordingly. Thus,
their effort can be highly valued.
Besides, the reinforcement and equipment of heating machines in preparation for the
expected deuterium experiment are appropriate. For these, too, a high opinion shall be given.
Now, the intensification of heating devices necessary to improve the plasma performance andthe development of diagnostic devices to promote academic research will be expected
continuously.
2(2)Did we properly carry out the research to elucidate the physical organizationnecessary to improve the plasma performance as a bilateral collaborative research byorganically utilizing devices and equipments of various research institutes,
universities, university research institutes, and research centers?
Quite active and diverse collaborative research is carried out by utilizing the bilateralcollaborative research system, bringing many significant results. Results of thesecollaborative researches facilitated the comprehensive understanding of torus plasmas, one of
the LHD research goals; thus, it can be highly valued. To name a few, a collaborative research
regarding the confinement improvement and helical magnetic field configuration is carriedout in Kyoto University (Heliotron J); a collaborative research for the high-temperatureplasma stabilization and PWI (plasma wall interaction) as well as a collaborative plan
regarding the spherical torus is carried out in Kyushu University (TRIAM-1M/QUEST); and acollaborative research to elucidate a physical organization for the plasma confinement
improvement is carried out in Tsukuba University (GAMMA10). By effectively utilizing
various devices and facilities in research institutes and universities, associated research
institutions, and research centers in these collaborative researches, further acceleration of
elucidation of physical mechanism necessary for improving plasma performance will be muchanticipated.
[3]
Did we properly carry out the inter-operation and collaborative research byobtaining more active participation from various research fields including theparticipation of those researchers who study subjects other than nuclear fusion?
Accordingly, did we successfully prepare the environment? Also, did we successfully
contribute to the research development of universities?
The bilateral collaborative research was newly added to the general collaborative researchand the LHD collaborative research. The system to support various types of collaborative
researches has properly facilitated, and the joint operations of the device and the collaborative
researches have been managed well. These environmental considerations are something thatthe field of fusion science has worked on in advance to the other research fields. It can behighly valued as a result of sincere efforts, where NIFS and other nuclear fusion researchcommunities have cooperated together. Numbers of research topics, researchers, and researchexchange activities have been steadily increasing, and the researches are continuing toprogress. Operation rules for collaborative researches were also modified, greatly contributing
to the establishment of entities of research in universities as well as to the human resources
training. On the other hand, university research labs can hardly keep fundamental research
activities without these systems; considering these, the NIFS effort can be highly valued from3the aspect of their contribution to the plasma education in universities and the researchdevelopment.
As for the collaboration with areas other than nuclear fusion, research collaborations arebeing carried out with areas of disciplines such as astronomy and imaging science. Also, theeffort to establish an international collaborative research core network project should also bevalued highly. These efforts need to be continued. High evaluation shall be given also toenvironmental considerations such as the establishment of the User’s Office and themaintenance of nuclear fusion science archives.
[4]
Did we successfully play a role as COE? Moreover, did we also play a role as COE
in a global sense through international collaborative research and contributions?
NIFS fully carries out its responsibility as COE with its high research quality and as acentral organization of the international collaborative research. Especially, the LHD project isselected as one of the key fusion activities in Japan, and it successfully plays a role as aninternational COE in the toroidal plasma research. Also, NIFS developed a collaborative
system concerning Japan-US, Japan-EU, Japan-China, and Japan-Korea collaboration, taking
the leadership in the international nuclear fusion research as a contact office for many
international collaborative researches and international coordination. Considering these, NIFS
efforts can be highly valued.
[5]
Did we successfully function as an origin for the academic scientific transmissionthat can also transmit to the research fields other than nuclear fusion?
Applications of the results of LHD research such as the large-scale superconducting coilsystem, a microwave heating device, or the negative ion source technology development aswell as an academic utilization of high-temperature plasmas generated in LHD were widelyextended to other fields. This can be highly valued. Also, NIFS effort to act as the center foran academic transmission of knowledge should be given a high review. In the area of theory
and simulation as well, the development to other fields have been lately enhanced, producing
quite interesting results.
Furthermore, the inter-institutional research collaboration within National Institute of
Natural Sciences is being carried out. Research results are properly released via the mass
media. NIFS is considered a centripetal figure as the network origin, having strong impacts on
various scientific fields. Besides, it should be noted that the public relations activities to otherresearch fields as well as the publics are carried out with greater considerations.
[6]
Did we successfully contribute to fostering of human resources who would play anactive part in an international surroundings?
4

NIFS graduate education is carried out under 3 objectives: 1) as one of the fundamental
research organizations in the School of Physical Sciences, Graduate University for Advanced
Studies (Department of Fusion Science); 2) associated graduate universities with the Graduate
School of Engineering and the Graduate School of Science in Nagoya University, theGraduate School of Engineering in Hokkaido University, and the Graduate School of Scienceand Engineering in Toyama University; and 3) educational consignation of students in otheruniversities as a special inter-university researcher. The LHD experiments, beside these 3
human resources training, contributed to the education and research of many students inuniversities nationwide by developing the general collaborative research, LHD collaborative
research, and bilateral collaborative research.
The Department of Fusion Science in Graduate University for Advanced Studies has
produced more Ph.D. holders than quota in the past four years; and approximately 60% of
these obtained their degree with subjects related to the LHD research. Lots of international
students also study in the Department. Thus, the LHD experiments are producing significant
educational effects and global contribution.
In the international collaboration like Japan-US, Japan-EU, Japan-China, and Japan-Korea
collaboration, NIFS actively promotes a dispatch of graduate students and young researchers
to foreign nations or an invitation of foreign young researchers. Their effort to train domestic
as well as international researchers so that they could actively participate in an international
scene can be highly valued.
Furthermore, NIFS hires several COE research assistants as postdoctoral staff. NIFS effort
to foster young researchers is also worth a high review.
However, further efforts will be necessary for the training of human resources who could
truly participate in the international scene including ITER. Thus, NIFS will need to come up
with a unique and aggressive training program for human resources and work on the program
strategically.
[7]
Is our future research plan proper? Especially, is the perspective of themid-/long-term plan that was drafted toward the actualization of a desired target
value properly taken into consideration?
Goals defined in the 1st Mid-Term Plan will be most likely achieved; thus, their plan canbe highly valued. Likewise, the 2nd Mid-Term Plan is well thought-out and appropriate. The
deuterium experiment, installing closed diverter, and reinforce of plasma heating power for it
are proposed, and the research plan is facing up to the mid to long-term perspectives.
Therefore, it also can be valued highly. In the deuterium experiment, remarkable improvementin the confinement property is expected; thus, one could see the perspectives to thehelical-type nuclear fusion reactor. The facts that the prospect toward a demonstration reactor
5has been brightened and that a definite plan is gradually being provided shall be highly valued.
Upon the start of a deuterium experiment, further development in research concerning theplasma wall interaction (PWI) will be necessary.
[8]
Besides the above described perspectives, did we properly resolve the issues
pointed out in the 2004 Peer Review?
(1)
Were the selection of research themes and the research procedures proper?
Especially for the experiments, were the opinions of the NIFS staff and collaborative
researchers heard to improve the system? Also, Did we select such research themesthat clearly define the contribution to ITER?
Research themes are properly determined upon discussion with the non-NIFS
collaborative researchers and nuclear fusion communities in the LHD experiment meeting.
While releasing the research procedure and programs on the web, theme frameworks arechanged upon requests from collaborative researchers. The selection of research themes iscarried out effectively. One can see some improvements toward a better system, and theireffort can be highly valued. Also, contribution to ITER is made by selecting such themes thattake both into consideration the commonality and complementarity with the tokamak. Thiscan be highly valued.
(2) As for the theory and data analysis, did we successfully improve the collective
strength by intensifying the collaboration with theory and simulation groups?
Furthermore, did we successfully work as the center for the torus plasma theory
research in Japan by intensifying the collaboration with the tokamak?
As for the theory and data analysis, NIFS has strived to build connections between theory
and simulation by establishing the Department of Simulation Science. While enhancing thegeneral ability, it has also contributed to the comprehensive understanding of the troidal
plasma and the improvement of LHD performance; thus, it can be valued highly. Furthermore,by strengthening connections with tokamak researchers, the institute has become the centerfor the toroidal plasma theory in Japan; their effort will deserve high marks. Not only in thearea of nuclear fusion, but research that provides a spin-off to areas other than nuclear fusion
is also carried out. Further contribution to LHD and development as the center for theoreticalresearch in Japan will be much expected in the future.
(3)
Did we strive to develop diagnostic devices including such advanced diagnostic
devices that might be applicable to ITER while collaborating with researchers in andoutside of NIFS?
6In addition to the development of a shortwave far-infrared laser, high-performancepolarization interferometer diagnosis, Cotton-Mouton interferometer and imaging bolometer,
NIFS keeps challenging within NIFS as well as with external researchers on the R&D in the
primary mirror optical characteristics deterioration and its countermeasure and such, while
taking into consideration the advanced diagnostic devices that might be applicable to ITER.
Their activity deserves a high review. A currently planned deuterium experiment is itself quite
effective to cultivate a diagnostic method that leads to the creation of developments andexperiments in diagnostic devices for ITER and similar projects; thus, contribution to ITER
will be further expected than it is now.
1.1.2

Recommendations

At last, please refer to the following recommendations for the future LHD research
procedure:(1)
This time, LHD research was given a review that the current LHD plasma parameterhas achieved at the level that are comparable or contrasted with a large-scale tokamak
device and that its research results were as they were expected or better. Taking the latest
review into consideration, it is expected that in the 2nd Mid-Term Plan, they will intensify
heating devices and install closed diverters to promote a deuterium experiment plan as
expected and actualize further improvement of a plasma performance. Then, a steady-stateexperiment under the higher-density, higher-temperature condition is also desirable.
(2)
While NIFS has produced its own research results in the LHD research by organicallyutilizing three collaborative research categories (general, LHD, and bilateral collaborative
research), it largely contributes to the development and activation of research education
activities in universities nationwide. Toward a further development in the futurecollaborative research activities including the staff training, further challenges will be much
expected.
(3)
NIFS has already been establishing its status as global COE in the area of nuclear
fusion. From now on, it will be much expected that NIFS, while realizing its role as COE,
shall promote future LHD research with courage and will that dares to challenge newresearch. Thus, their effort will bloom the entity of LHD research that can pride itself to theworld. Further development is much desired.

7

Chapter 2
2.1

Peer Review Report on Simulation Research

Summaries and Recommendations

2.1.1

Summaries of the Review

Following is the Summary of views of the External Peer Review Committee members.
[1]

By carrying out the simulation research, did we successfully elucidate andsystematize the physical mechanism of a nuclear fusion plasma confinement?
Moreover, did we make such academic scientific achievements that foreran the world
effort in the research on complex science as a basic research that supports thenuclear fusion research?

NIFS simulation research has made a number of achievements by explaining various
experimental data concerning the magnetic confinement plasmas and developing
high-precision numerical schemes that could predict basic characteristics of fusion plasmas.
These are published as almost 300 items of original articles. In the summary of the 2006
IAEA Fusion Energy Conference, numbers of achievements were reported. These data
objectively support the fact that NIFS simulation research has made quite significant
contributions on the international scene. Especially, what they have achieved in the
gyrokinetic effects concerning plasma turbulence and structure formation, non-linear
behaviors of high-energy particles, high-precision simulations of two-fluid effects,
high-resolution magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulation, pellet ablation, andplasma-material interaction should be worthy of great reputation. Every one of them is theresearch closely related to the nature of "multi-hierarchy of physical properties" of nuclear
fusion plasmas, and thus, has quite important meanings in various fields of nuclear fusion
research including tokamaks and laser fusion. At the same time, these are the pioneeringresearch results that highlight the existence of nuclear fusion plasma research in the newscientific stage called the "simulation science". It is, therefore, highly valued as a result, that
NIFS simulation researchers have performed their research with high aims to establish
simulation as a new methodology of science.
In the development of the integrated transport code, it is anticipated that NIFS will play aleading role under the active collaboration with universities. Studies concerning plasmacomplexity and multi-hierarchy property such as fast ignition, peripheral plasmas, andplasma-material interaction are highly motivating researches that are leading in the world.
Not only that they are critical topics in the future nuclear fusion research, they also indicate
the interdisciplinary relation with many other fields of research; thus, a further developmentof research shall be much desired for.
8

[2]
(1)

To carry out the perspective [1], did we perform the following?
Through the organizational change, did we properly arrange the researchplatform that was capable of generating intensive research results and also capableof flexible as well as organic management?

Department of Simulation Science as a whole has an academic vision with an idea of"hierarchy" as the keyword. It strives to make a new development of the simulation scienceby tightly combining the thorough simulation researches that predict behaviors of magnetic
confinement nuclear fusion plasmas, laser fusion plasmas, and space plasmas, anddevelopment of basic simulation methodologies such as the innovative numerical schemes,
virtual reality technology, long-distance broadband network technology, and such. The factthat personnel as well as hardware resources at NIFS were integrated and systematized byestablishing the Department of Simulation Science, that consists of the LHD and magnetic
confinement simulation Division, the Fusion Frontiers Simulation Division, and the Rokkasho
Research Center, is quite meaningful in presuming the future development. The threesimulation projects that are carried out in forms that include collaborative researches within
and outside of NIFS, have definite research themes in each project; thus, it is much expectedthat they will become the base to produce intensive research results in the future.
Each of these tasks is interdisciplinary, and further intensification of active collaborationand cooperation with universities and of an organic cross-field collaboration will be muchdesired for. Then, with a view to further developing a large-scale simulation research by using
the next-generation super-computer, a staff training is inevitable; thus, it will be advisable toextend the young researchers organization. Though the computer and network operations
were shared between working groups, it will be necessary to clarify the responsibility system
for those operations that require special knowledge. Then, it will also be necessary to further
intensify the current organization that supports a simulation research environment such as thevirtual reality.
[3]

As an inter-university research institute, did we actively promote the collaborative
research and cooperation with universities that utilizes the analysis device for alarge-scale simulation research (Plasma Simulator) and the like? Also, did wecontribute to the development of the simulation research?

Numbers of university researchers in Japan utilize the analysis device for a large-scale
simulation research (Plasma Simulator) and other devices at NIFS in their collaborative
researches. They have made many achievements, largely contributing to the development ofsimulation research in Japan. Particularly, contributions to the inter-university collaboration9

project for the development of an integrated code (TASK) as well as contributions to Osaka
University in the laser fusion simulation are worthy of special attentions. The remote on-line
access environment from universities was much improved, and the collaborative researches
were further promoted. The fact that about 85% of approximately 300 research papers were
the result of collaborative research with researchers at universities and other institutes
objectively proves that NIFS is making sufficient contributions as the inter-university research
institute.
It will be further expected that NIFS should keep on working further to facilitate the usageof computer resources by adopting such project research system that actively utilizes
collaboration with universities. Then, it is also hoped for that NIFS should consider wider
usage forms utilizing the network system, such as the simulation data sharing and the remotevisualization.
[4]

Did we successfully play a role as COE? Moreover, did we also play a role as COE
in a global sense through international collaborative research and contributions?

Consisting of 21 professional researchers, Department of Simulation Science has mademost-advanced research results while developing various themes. The institute succeeded to
install and operate the top-class high-performance super-computers in the area of plasma andnuclear fusion. Researches were carried out with active participations of collaborative
researchers outside of NIFS. Also, Department of Simulation Science and/or former
simulation group hosted, as well as, managed a total of 15 international conferences andworkshops in 4 years. Thus, Department of Simulation Science and/or former simulationgroup have been fully playing a role of an international COE.
NIFS is also expected to work as the international liaison office for the university
researchers to participate in ITER and BA. A systematized effort will be necessary so that
programs and algorisms developed and maintained in Japan should be utilized as aninternational standard in the simulation research carried out in BA. For this reason, many
attentions are paid to the activities by NIFS simulation science researchers. Also, special
budgetary steps will be advisable to request for cooperation with foreign countries.
[5]

Through the interdisciplinary collaboration within the National Institutes of
Natural Sciences, did we successfully function as an origin for the academic scientifictransmission that can also transmit to the research fields other than nuclear fusion?

Roles that the theory and simulation research would play are quite important to give thearea of plasma and nuclear fusion the power of transmission of interdisciplinary properties.
Starting from the collaboration and cooperation with the area of space and astronomy as wellas with the area of molecular science, NIFS carries out positive collaborative activities. This10

effort should be valued highly.
The area of plasma and nuclear fusion has vast accumulations of high-level research
results. Transmitting those in the form that researchers in other fields could comprehend is
expected. Particularly, it seems that the collaboration with areas that originally had little to dowith the plasma science; such as molecular science, physiology, and basic biology has been
just started. For these areas of discipline, collaborations and cooperation from themethodological rather than scientific approach like a computational method for simulation
will be the possibility. The theme for hierarchy-interconnection should come to the center.
From now on, looking to the long-term, it is necessary to establish a diverse interdisciplinary
network including universities, the Research Organization of Information and Systems, andthe Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
[6]

Did we successfully contribute to fostering of human resources who would play anactive part in an international surroundings?

Researchers are making distinguished results in their own field, respectively. Theirachievements are given high opinions, internationally. It results from the facts that excellent
young researchers are continuously employed, that seminars and academic discussions takeplace freely at NIFS, and that healthy competitions among researchers exist. Also, NIFS haslargely contributed to the technical code improvement of simulation researchers within Japanby preparing various training programs. As for the staff training in the more extended
meaning and the creation of a social understanding, broad ranges of NIFS activities such as tohost summer schools can be valued highly.
Majority of young researchers in the area of nuclear fusion simulation in Japan belongs to
NIFS; thus, NIFS role as the place where PD’s as well as young researchers are fostered isextremely important. It is continuously hoped that NIFS shall create a universally open
atmosphere for research and that the institute contributes to the staff training that supports along-term development of nuclear fusion research. Also, NIFS needs to welcome highly
capable researchers to this area of research by both concretizing the extension plan for the
young researchers organization including specially appointed researchers and proposing theplan to the community. As for the graduate education, cooperation and collaboration to theuniversity educational activities are expected.
[7]

Is our future research plan proper? Especially, is the perspective of themid-/long-term plan properly taken into consideration?

With a grand goal to establish the simulation science in mind, NIFS is drawing a researchplan and road map that figure out concrete themes focusing on the hierarchy. Their effort on
this term can be valued highly. Improvement of their research organization for themes that are11directly connected to the LHD research like creating a road map of the hierarchy-integrated
simulation that aims at a prediction for the LHD nuclear fusion reactor model can also bevalued highly.
It is necessary to organically connect many research elements for future development;
thus, it will become more important to make efforts to positively apply the external
knowledge and cooperative researches like a further intensification of the inter-project
collaboration and exchanges, collaboration with computer science, exchange activities withother research fields related to non-linear/non-equilibrium phenomena, and cooperation towork in conformity with fusion engineering. Anticipation for the fact that the weight ofresearches on complexity science is decreasing was also pointed out. It is necessary that NIFS
continues to actively transmit and contribute to broad academic fields of research.
[8]

Besides the above described perspectives, did we properly resolve the issues
pointed out in the 2004 Peer Review and the 2005 Organization Review Committee?

(1)

Were the selection of research themes and methodologies by a respective
simulation project for the LHD and magnetic field confinement, laser fusion, andplasma complexity proper?

NIFS responded to the issues pointed out in the 2004 External Peer Review and the 2005
Organizational Review Committee and made significant achievements in three fields. Theireffort can be highly valued. Especially, their strategy to place importance on particular issues
in each field and set up themes is quite appropriate: the importance was placed onhierarchy-extended and hierarchy-integrated simulations in the LHD and magnetic
confinement simulation project, FI3 in the laser fusion simulation project, and cross-field
collaboration in the plasma complexity simulation project.
Since research in the plasma complexity needs to be carried out from diverse points ofviews, it will be expected that NIFS shall promote broader collaboration activities. Namely inthe case of graphite, the establishment of an advanced simulation method is much anticipated
while considering the collaboration with the Institute for Molecular Science. As for thesimulation research for laser fusion, too, the construction of more developed research system
including the collaboration with the magnetic confinement research will be much expected.
(2)

Did we select such research themes that clearly define the contribution to ITER
and BA and prepare the appropriate environment?

Research themes are properly determined, like, for example, NIFS is given a challenge on
a burning plasma simulation. LHD-NTR (LHD Numerical Test Reactor) and ITER research
can be carried out as ones that have academic commonalities. TAE research and high-energy
12particle research are said to be the achievement directly connected to ITER. Besides, they
contribute to ITER by making contributions to ITPA activities or by participating in the ITER
summer school.
In the future, more human resources will be required with a view to working on more
research themes including fusion engineering, then making major contributions to ITER/BA.
Therefore, NIFS shall need to view in a long-term perspective and consider in detail aparticular research system with the Rokkasho Research Center as the core under which theyshould conduct researches.
(3)

While considering the development of research and computer environment as wellas the perspective of inter-university collaborative research, did we work on theconstitution of the analysis device for a large-scale simulation research (Plasma
Simulator)? Then, did we make plans for its operation?

NIFS brings into view the opinions of external collaborative researchers to carry out adevice configuration and operation. This can be highly valued. Also, their efforts to activate
collaborative researches such as organizing working groups in accordance with research
themes, preparation of benchmark-code groups reflecting collaborative researchers opinions,simplification of job classes, improvement in the transparency of collaborative researches byusing super-computers, and such, are valued highly.
On the other hand, from the technical point of view in the collaborative research by using
super-computer, such computer system is expected that is capable of a seamless collaboration,and that can boost its performance without any major code changes from the university
computer environment where the scalar parallel computers are dominant. There is a highpossibility of significant changes in super-computer architectures in 2 to 3 years from now.
Not that NIFS simply repeats replacing, but it should consider the proper configuration of thesuper-computer system while assessing appropriate budget and time as well as an overallsituation. Thus, an appropriate personnel assignment is also an important issue. Furthermore,a vision, which will effectively utilize the organizational system of the National Institutes of
Natural Sciences from the aspect of a multi-purpose infrastructure inherent in a "computer
system", shall be required while a BA infrastructure at ITER is also taken into consideration.
(4)

Did we present and transmit the research results on the visualization and virtual
reality system in order to widely spread research results and promote researchcollaboration?

Although their achievements gained high reviews, a stronger affirmation on how thevirtual reality and visualization helps research will be necessary. A promotion ofcommonization and standardization, of 3-D data format and interface and their presentation,13

will be much anticipated from the perspective of the spin-off to collaborative researches andthe development of cooperation with universities.
Also, a reinforcement plan for human resources needs to be positively considered. Theseadvanced devices are not necessarily easily remotely accessible from outside. With a view toactively carrying out cooperative research in this field under various usage styles, interactive
network communications will become more important. In the future, such efforts as to enable
active remote utilizations of various computer resources including numbers of advanced
visualizations shall be desired while taking into consideration the acceleration of a network
speed as well as significant progresses in hardware and software.
2.1.2

Recommendations

As was stated above, NIFS gained high reviews on the results obtained in their simulation
research. Also, their organizational operation system and the academic value of theirresearch plan were valued highly. Now, on that basis, the following issues were requested
with a view to further facilitating the development of NIFS simulation research and also tocreating stronger cooperation with the domestic and international nuclear fusion science
research communities and researchers in related fields:(1)

In the large-scale long-term research like the development of integrated transport codes,
it is expected that NIFS will play a leading role with a view to activating the highpotential that nationwide universities possess. Also, since researches in such fields like
plasma complexity simulation, laser fusion and peripheral plasmas, and plasma-materialinteraction bear the interdisciplinary properties to be applied in other research fields,
further improvements on organizations and systems are much anticipated in order tofurther strengthen a cross-field collaboration. Also, management of human resources andsystems that support a research environment will be desirable.

(2)

Many of young researchers in the area of nuclear fusion simulation in Japan belong to
NIFS; thus, NIFS role as the place where PD’s, as well as young researchers are fosteredis extremely important. It is continuously hoped that NIFS shall create a universally open
atmosphere for research and that the institute contributes to the staff training that supports
a long-term development of nuclear fusion research. Also, they need to welcome highly
capable researchers to this area of research by showing the extension plan for the young
researchers organization including PD’s and specially appointed researchers andproposing the plan to the community. Then, it is necessary to secure the career path foryoung researchers by, for example, enhancing the mobility.

(3)

In order that the simulation researchers in Japan could expand in the entire fields of14

nuclear fusion science through the participation to ITER and BA, an research organizationand collaborative research system needs to be quickly established.

15

Chapter 3

Summary

The External Peer Review Committee, toward the formulation of the 2nd Mid-term Plan,considered the current fiscal year as fairly critical in making mid-term reviews for the activity
histories in this term. Thus, the committee made reviews for the NIFS two major research
fields up to this point: research in the Large Helical Device (LHD) and the simulation
research.
It has been almost four years since the current Mid-term Plan has started. Both the LHD
research and simulation research have made significant achievements during the term as aresult of high motivation of employees and active utilizations of inter-university researchfacilities in addition to daring modification of the organization as well as prioritized
distribution of investment.
In the 2nd Mid-Term Plan for LHD, are expected a steady promotion of projects such as
the deuterium experiment to develop the current research activities further, an academic
systematization of nuclear fusion science with a view to realizing the nuclear fusion reactor,
which is a mission given to NIFS, and achievements that lead the world.
In the simulation research is expected the establishment of simulation methodology to
predict phenomena. Accordingly, by forming closer associations with domestic andinternational nuclear fusion science researchers communities and also with researchers ofother related fields, the committee expects that research in wider areas of simulation sciences
as the basis as well as the development of the integrated transport code shall be promoted
intensively.
At last, the External Peer Review Committee will hope that by reflecting this peer review
to the formulation and execution of future plans, the National Institute for Fusion Scienceshall strive to make further improvements on its research and other operations and thereby
play more significant roles than it is now as a central organization of the nuclear fusion
research.

16