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

Peer Review Reports in FY2011

March, 2012

External Review Committee, NIFS Administrative Council

Contents
Chapter

1

Chapter2

Chapter3

Background ···················································1

Reviews and Recommendations ·······················5
2.1 Summary of reviews ·················································5
2.2 Recommendations ················································· 11
In closing ···················································· 12

Appendix: Charts of review results

Chapter 1

Background

Large Helical Device, or LHD, was constructed as the leading device to advance universities’ fusion
research in conjunction with the establishment of the inter-university research institute, National
Institute for Fusion Science, or NIFS and began operation in 1998. LHD was planned under theconsensus and hopes of the whole fusion community and featured by the heliotron magnetic field
configuration, which was originated in Japan, produced by superconducting coils. The device is able
to generate high-performance helical plasmas by its powerful heating system and expected to solve
physical and engineering issues towards realization of a magnetic-confinement fusion reactor. LHD
has steadily increased plasma performance and enhanced uniqueness over the past 14 years. It has
been state-of-the art in fusion research and been served as a device of collaboration for domestic aswell as international activities.
During these years, there were changes in Japan’s academic sector. In 2004, NIFS became a memberof an Inter-University Research Cooperation named National Institutes of Natural Sciences, or NINS,
to serve as an inter-university research institute. Along with the change, NIFS became exposed toannual review by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), whichchecks the progress of the 6-year-long mid-term plan towards the mid-term goal. Although thisformal annual review is basically targeted to management works, NIFS believes its scientificperformance should be also reviewed and put it under review by external eyes every year. The
administrative council of NIFS defines what to be reviewed, and then an external review committee
formed by the non-NIFS administrative council members as well as experts designated for thedefined purpose. The reviewers give advice to the administrative council based on their review, and
NIFS reflects the advice on its future activities. Looking through the review reports published during
the first mid term, this system seems to work effectively.
NIFS embarked on a new plan for the second 6-year mid term in 2009. In order to increase thecentripetal force of COE of fusion research, a newly-introduced framework of three research
Projects – the LHD Project, Numerical Simulation Research Project and Fusion Engineering
Research Project, was formulated and aims at integration of all the achievements from the three
towards the realization of a fusion reactor. NIFS made the organizational change in 2009 toaccommodate this strategy. NIFS’s main activity of LHD research had already been conducted as aproject since the beginning of the institute, where major staff of the Department of LHD Project andthe Department of Engineering and Technical Services had made a commitment. In comparison, thenewly-introduced system puts all the research staff in a unique department and removes all thebarriers, enabling them to participate in any of the Projects. Therefore, the LHD Project will tie up
1with the two other Projects more efficiently, and will be able to respond flexibly to new challenges.
The administrative council of NIFS conducted the external review of the LHD research in 2007
while the first six-year mid-term plan was in operation. It was recognized for the fact that it was
managed to show an outstanding performance through the nationwide inter-university researchsystem with intensive research investment and high motivation of participants. At the same time,some advice for improvement was also given as follows: (1) LHD should enhance its plasma
performance during the next six-year mid-term by upgrading heating capability, installing closed
divertors and implementing the deuterium experiment as planned, to attain a steady-state operationin the regime with higher density and higher temperatures. (2) More efforts should be made to enrichjoint researches and human-resource-development activities including education. (3) Being aware of
the role of a global COE, NIFS should have a strong will and courage to tackle new issues fordeveloping the LHD research.
Four years have passed since then. It is meaningful to review the LHD work as compared to theprevious advice, in terms of what has been produced with the new plan and new system, and whether
the products deserve the name of a global COE as well as the device of Japan’s inter-university
research. This will be helpful in considering the future of NIFS as well. Besides, environements havebeen changing surrounding fusion research – the attempt to achieve a safe and “ultimate green
innovation” – due to the nuclear accidents at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, which was caused by theGreat East Earthquake on March11th. It is desired the efforts for academic systematization speed up
more than ever, and LHD has to bear part of the responsibility. Reflecting these factors, LHD waschosen to be evaluated this year. Nine of non-NIFS from the administrative council and four offoreign members, as well as five Japanese experts appointed from outside of NIFS took charge of thereview.
In their first meeting held on October 28th, 2011, the members discussed the way of review anddetermined perspectives and items. On December 10th, NIFS presented LHD activities in detailusing view graphs and other materials, and answered the questions from the reviewers. On January
23rd, 2012, reviewers gathered in groups and rated the activities after making questions clear. The
reviewers met on February 21st to finalize their review and document this report.
This report is constituted by “Chap.1 Background”, “Chap.2 Reviews and Proposals” and “Chap.3 In
Closing”. The reports from the reviewers from abroad are described as they are by permission of
them.

2

The report will be submitted to the administrative council of NIFS. After gaining its approval,
Director-General of NIFS will hand in it to the president of its parental body, NINS. It will go
through NINS to be given in to the Administrative Council and the Education and Research Council
in NINS. After the approval of these councils, this report will be used as an appendix of NINS’sannual deliverables in “Annual Plan of NINS (JFY2012)” and “Report of Achievements of BusinessWork in JFY2011” to be submitted to the MEXT.. The report will be open to public on the web aswell as in print.
The perspectives in review of “LHD Project” are shown below. All of them are indispensable inevaluating NIFS’s activity of the LHD Project in the 6-year mid-term plan set by NINS. The rating isbased on the extent of achievements and the scientific level of activities.
In particular, the following three perspectives are based on the recommendation in the last review in2007 and noted in this year’s review.
1. Does the LHD project strive for improvement in plasma performance as scheduled by means of
upgrade of heating capability, installation of closed divertor and deuterium experiment? Is theapproach towards steady-state experiments in the regime with higher density and hightemperature appropriate?
2. Does the LHD project develop collaboration activities to enrich and stimulate the research andeducational activities such as human resource development in universities?
3. Does the LHD project conduct new and original research as a global COE?
[1] Research achievements
Does the LHD project produce high-level achievements in accordance with international standards
regarding the systemization of physics and engineering for a helical system and comprehensive
understanding of toroidal plasmas directed towards controlled fusion?
(1) Are the achievements, which have been obtained by the approach to the realization of highperformance plasmas extrapolative to a fusion reactor by a helical system, at a high level byinternational standards? (refer to the note from the last review)(2) Does the LHD project advance scientific research towards a comprehensive understanding of
toroidal plasmas?
[2] Development of research system and environment
Does the LHD project develop required the steps to execute the missions described in 1?
(1) Does the new LHD project system, which was introduced in 2010, contribute to efficient3execution of research and extension of opportunities for collaboration?
(2) Does the LHD project develop maintenance, upgrade and improvement of devices and facilities
for the main device and heating systems appropriately?
(3) Does the LHD project develop diagnostics and theoretical/analytic models with high accuracy
for comprehensive understanding of toroidal plasmas?
[3] Promotion of Collaboration
Does the LHD project promote collaboration as the major facility of the inter-university research
institute to guide fusion science?
(1) Does the LHD project produce excellent research achievements by making use of theadvantages

ofGeneralCollaborations,

LHD

Project

Collaborations

andBilateral

Collaborations?
(2) Does the LHD project contribute to interdisciplinary development in cooperation withresearchers from a wide range of fields as well as fusion science?
(3) Does the LHD project contribute to the development of research in universities?
[4] Promotion of international cooperation and collaboration
Does the LHD project make a sufficient contribution to the international community in the role of a
global COE in fusion science?
(1) Does the LHD project produce achievement s as the center of activities international
comprehensive agreements and academic exchange agreements between institutes?
(2) Does the LHD project promote cooperation with and contribution to ITER/BA?
[5] Human resource development
Does the LHD project contribute to human resource development of researchers with a global vision
required for long-term fusion research?
[6] Future planIs the plan of the LHD project looking forward to the next decade appropriate in terms of the second
mid-term plan, etc?

4

Chapter 2

Reviews and proposals

Here is a summary of evaluation based on the comments and arguments given by the reviewers. Thisis followed by proposals which will be important in advancing the LHD research.

2.1 Summary of reviews[1] Research achievements
Does the LHD project produce high-level achievements in accordance with international
standards regarding the systematization of physics and engineering for a helical system andcomprehensive understanding of toroidal plasmas directed towards controlled fusion?

(1) Are the achievements, which have been obtained by the approach to the realization ofhigh performance plasmas extrapolative to a fusion reactor by a helical system, at a highlevel by international standards ? ( refer to the note from the last review)
LHD has made a significant progress in the work for the high-performance plasmas and reaches
a high level by international standards. The longer sustainment of super high density plasmas(SDC), the ion temperatures attained by enhancing the NBI heating system and the power
supply of the superconducting coils, and the electron temperatures obtained by strengthening
the ECH system are a significant achievement that could pave the way to the future’s reactor.
Among them, achievements of the beta value of 5.1%, the plasma density of 1.2ｘ1021ｍ−３, theion temperature of 7keV and the electron temperature of 20keV are extremely important andprogress in steady-state operation is also outstanding. Steady strides are made toward therealization of controlled fusion in a helical system, and hundreds of papers are published eachyear from there. They are extremely highly commended.

(2) Does the LHD project advance scientific research towards a comprehensive
understanding of toroidal plasmas?
The plasma physics brought by the 3-dimentional magnetic fields , such as transport, MHD anddivertor physics, is important for taking a complementary approach between helical system andtokamak. There is a strong will in LHD activities to try to understand the whole world of
toroidal plasmas, which is extremely highly commended. 3-dimentional effect intrinsic tohelical plasmas has been a great help for the studies on transport of core and edge plasmas,
plasma-wall interactions, MHD stability or divertor engineering, as it shed light on differences5

or commonalties between helical and tokamak plasmas. It has not only advanced the studies
drastically, but also helped better comprehensive understanding of toroidal plasmas. The Edge
Localized Mode (ELM) and Plasma Wall Interaction (PWI) physics, the control of heat load bydetached plasma using Resonant Magnetic Perturbation (RMP), and the physics in wave
heating like Electron Bernstein Wave (EBW) and Ion Cyclotron Resonance Frequency (ICRF)
were brought in by LHD and greatly contributed to the comprehensive understanding as well.

[2] Development of research system and environment
Does the LHD project develop the required steps to execute the missions described in [1]?

(1) Does the new LHD project system, which was introduced in 2010, contribute to efficient
execution of research and extension of opportunities for collaboration?
Under the new system, theme groups are able to work agilely and flexibly. Preparation studies
for deuterium discharges are ongoing and the number of research proposals grew from 220 in2007 to 267 in 2011. It could prove the system helped efficient execution of research activities
and expansion of collaboration opportunity, so it is highly commended. However, it has to be
judged on a longer-term basis, and re-evaluation will be necessary in the next reviewing.

(2) Does the LHD project develop maintenance, upgrade and improvement of devices andfacilities for the main device and heating systems appropriately? (refer to the note fromthe last review)
The measures to maximize LHD’s capability have been appropriately taken, such as the
improvement of the perpendicular NBI system to raise ion temperature; the extension of heating
power and pulse length of the ECH system, the provisional installation of the baffle divertors
needed for long pulse operation of the high performance plasma, and the enhancement of the
DC power supply for the superconducting coils. It is extremely highly commended. In order toachieve steady-state operation, the installation of the full-torus closed divertor needs to becompleted as early as possible, and research with high power, high density and high fast-ion
density has to be planned in a strategic manner.

(3) Does the LHD project develop diagnostics and theoretical/analytic models with highaccuracy for comprehensive understanding of toroidal plasmas?
Improvement of the quality of data on electron temperatures by the Thomson scattering system,
6

development of the heavy ion beam probe, measurement of the rotational transform of magnetic
field by the motional Stark effect, availability of diagnostics of high-energy particles,
improvement of the data acquisition system have progressed. As a result, not only very precise
data is available, but also the data is working very effectively in an interactive manner with thedevelopment work of theoretical/analytic models, like a pair of wheels, to make a respectableconsequences. It is highly commended.

[3] Promotion of Collaboration
Does the LHD project promote collaboration as the major facility of the inter-university
research institute to guide fusion science?

(1) Does the LHD project produce excellent research achievements by making use of theadvantages of General Collaborations, LHD Project Collaborations and BilateralCollaborations?
The three Collaborations constitute a well-organized system which is capable of handlingvarious types of joint work with universities. Fruits of research and development with
universities are used in practice for the LHD experiment, and original results are coming out of
there. They are very useful programs to the fusion community. The three are flexible enough towelcome a wide variety of studies from centers attached to universities to a level of smalllaboratories of universities. It is extremely highly commended.

(2) Does the LHD project contribute to interdisciplinary development in cooperation withresearchers from a wide range of fields as well as fusion science?
As represented by the studies like the non-equilibrium plasma research using LHD and the solar
observational satellite Hinode to clarify the heating mechanism of the corona, the search forcommon physics between the spontaneous rotation of laboratory plasmas and the differential
rotation of the sun, and the investigation of the atomic and molecular process with use of an
extensive parameter of LHD plasmas, interdisciplinary efforts are ongoing in coordination withbasic studies of other fields including atomic physics, astrophysics, and light source
development. It is highly commended.
What is desired now is to make an appeal to other research fields, telling about potential usageof LHD and related technologies, that is, the usability as a tool or as a study subject for various
purposes, so as to develop the interdisciplinary participation more and explore a new researcharea.
7

(3) Does the LHD project contribute to the development of research in universities?
It is true a lot of universities in Japan take advantage of NIFS’s Collaboration programs fortheir advanced research and highly-specialized graduate education. The programs’ contribution
is huge. The LHD joint experiment provides an educational effect on graduate students andyoung researchers of universities. What is highly rated in particular is that the place for joint
activities using such a large-scale machine is continuously ready and open to university
researchers. It is no other than the result of hard work of those in charge of LHD facility
services, and the work deserves the extremely high praise as an outstanding contribution to
universities. It is extremely highly commended.
The LHD Project also takes outward action, such as dispatching researchers to universities or
lending diagnostics devices out to those participating in the programs. It helps conveying theadvanced standard of NIFS’s research to individual studies of research centers and laboratories
of universities. This outward effort has to be encouraged continuously.

[4] Promotion of international cooperation and collaboration
Does the LHD project make a sufficient contribution to the international community in therole of a global COE in fusion science?

(1) Does the LHD project produce achievements as the center of activities of international
comprehensive agreements and academic exchange agreements between institutes?
Concluding numbers of international agreements on academic exchanges or comprehensive
tie-ups, the project serves as the center of international joint activities sufficiently well. It ishighly commended.
In particular, the project has recently enhanced hosting of many foreign researchers andinstalling high-performance diagnosing instruments developed in other countries. Thispreferable situation is expected to develop further. NIFS’s collaboration programs allow
foreigners to represent a collaborating subject. Therefore, it is expectable international activities
will develop more and more, and that the project will continue to fulfill the role of the global
Center of Excellence in fusion research.

(2) Does the LHD project promote cooperation with and contribution to ITER/BA?

8

In terms of the cooperation for the ITER project, the LHD Project actively participates in the
ITPA activity and helps the development work of ITER facilities, such as heating devices andcryogenic systems. In terms of the BA activity, it helps the JT-60SA Research Plan andconducts a performance test on the superconducting conductors for JT-60SA. Its cooperation isextensive and varies, and highly commended.
Until JT-60SA starts operation, LHD will be only a large-scale device existing in Japan, so its
data should be helpful for planning ITPA or JT-60SA. The cooperation with the ITER and the
BA should be continued as it will be also useful to LHD itself in proceeding with the deuterium
experiment. Meanwhile, alternative approach to ITER contribution – the support in a manner oftaking outcome from unique studies of helical plasmas – will be also desired.

[5] Human resource development
Does the LHD project contribute to human resource development of researchers with a global
vision required for long-term fusion research?
The LHD project is very active in training graduate students as well as post-doctoral
researchers and promotion of assistant-professor-class young scientists to leaders andsub-leaders of the LHD experiments. In this sense, its contribution is significant for thedevelopment of human resources of fusion research. In particular, the strategic attempt thatinvolves young members as a leader in promoting the project on the global stage is highly
commended
It is hoped the LHD project will enhance the educational program to attract excellent students
from across the world and bring out internationally-competitive and competent researchers to
the world.

[6] Future planIs the plan of the LHD project looking forward to the next decade appropriate in terms of thesecond mid-term plan, etc?
Toward the goal of attaining plasmas which can be extrapolated to a fusion reactor, the plan
predicts it will be accomplished around the end of the third 6-year mid-term plan and takes
three measures to this end: the upgrade of the heating devices, the installation of closed divertor
and the launch of deuterium experiments. The plan is adequate and highly commended. Moreeffort is desired for gaining understanding from the locals on the deuterium experiment as earlyas possible.

9It has to be made clear what role LHD will play after ITER starts operation and what will be theresponsibility of LHD in the whole framework of Japan’s fusion research in the ITER era .
When considering the future of NIFS, the future plan should be discussed in order to to extend
its academic contribution to plasma physics and fusion engineering. In addition, discussion will
also have to be fully started over the next generation of the LHD project, which is run mainly
by young and mid-ranked researchers.

10

2.2

Recommendations

In closing, recommendations for the future of LHD are summarized as follows:(1)

It is desirable that LHD as the leading device of joint activities continue to be the world’s
large-scale experiment platform for fusion research and development.

(2)

It is hoped that the installation of closed divertor will be completed and deuterium
experiment will be started earlier so as to get the LHD-maximization efforts accelerated.

(3)

It is desirable that the LHD activities continuously encompass the work for ITER and BA
as it does.

(4)

It is hoped the project will lead the world’s fusion research and create
internationally-competitive human resources.

(5)

It is desirable that discussion be started over a plan that looks to the future after thecompletion of deuterium experiment campaign.

To NIFS, which is a central body of the fusion community, it is hoped that it will work harder toobtain public understanding and support to the new energy of fusion power.

11

Chapter 3

In closing

The Large Helical Device, or LHD, has carried out collaborations actively to support universities’
fusion research over the past 14 years while increasing its plasma performance. It was put under theevaluation in 2007, the fourth year of the first 6-year mid-term plan. It was recognized for thesignificant results it made through nationwide inter-university collaborations, but at the same time,some advice for improvement was also given. For the 2nd 6-years mid-term beginning from 2010,
NIFS set up three new Projects of LHD, Numerical Simulation and Fusion Engineering, andcommenced a plan to integrate outcomes of the three Projects, aimed for the goal of creating a fusion
reactor. Following these changes, LHD was picked up again for external review.
Reviewers discussed the way of evaluation, perspectives and items to check at their first meeting. In
the second meeting, a detail description was given by NIFS about the project and questions wereanswered. Then reviewers gathered by group to make the group’s conclusion based on remarks madeby individual members. In the third of the plenary meeting, evaluation was finalized and report wascompleted. The report will be handed in to the Administrative Council of NIFS, and then by the
Director-General of NIFS it will be submitted to the president of its parental institution, NINS.
Following advice was given at the 2007 review:
1. Does the LHD project strive for improvement in plasma performance as scheduled by meansof upgrade of heating capability, installation of closed divertor and deuterium experiment? Is
the approach towards steady-state experiments in the regime with higher density and hightemperature appropriate?
2. Does the LHD project develop collaboration activities to enrich and stimulate the researchand educational activities such as human resource development in universities?
3. Does the LHD project conduct new and original research as a global COE?
The reviewers took note of these 2007 proposals in their review this year.
Here is a list of check points used in the review. Briefed results are shown in block letter.

[1] Research achievements
Does the LHD project produce high-level achievements in accordance with international standards
regarding the systematization of physics and engineering for a helical system and comprehensive
understanding of toroidal plasmas directed towards controlled fusion?
12(1) Are the achievements, which have been obtained by the approach to the realization of highperformance plasmas extrapolative to a fusion reactor by a helical system, at a high level byinternational standards?
LHD produces excellent results for achieving high-performance plasmas and reached a high level byinternational standard. It steadily moves forward to the goal of controlled fusion by a helical system,and produces hundreds of papers every year. It is extremely highly commended.

(2) Does the LHD project advance scientific research towards a comprehensive understanding of
troidal plasmas?
The progress of studies on transport, magnetohydrodynamic behaviors and divertor physics, which
are observed in the 3-dimentional magnetic field, is significant in terms of a complementary
approach with tokamak. The LHD activities are willing to understand toroidal plasmas
comprehensively and their findings are considerably helpful to the objective. It is extremely highly
commended.

[2] Development of research system and environment
Does the LHD project develop the required steps to execute the missions described in 1?
(1) Does the new LHD project system, which was introduced in 2010, contribute to efficient
execution of research and extension of opportunities for collaboration?
The new project system let experiment groups move agilely and flexibly. The number of proposals
has increased from 220 in 2009 up to 267 in 2011. The both could prove the system increased
research efficiency and expanded collaboration opportunities, so it is highly commended.
However, the system will need another assessment from a longer-term standpoint.

(2) Does the LHD project develop maintenance, upgrade and improvement of devices andfacilities for the main device and heating systems appropriately? (refer to the note from thelast review)
Necessary measures have been given in an appropriate way, such as the improvement of theperpendicular NBI system, the upgrade of heating power and pulse lenght of the ECH system, theinstallation of the buffle divertor and the enhancement of the SC direct current power supply,
which is extremely highly commended.

(3) Does the LHD project develop diagnostics and theoretical/analytic models with high accuracy
for comprehensive understanding of toroidal plasmas?
The technique of measuring electric temperature has been made better, data analysis has been
improved and various methods have been newly developed. It brings out highly precise13diagnostics and develops theoretical/analytic models in a good quality. It proves the work made asignificant progress. It is highly commended.

[3] Promotion of Collaboration
Does the LHD project promote collaboration as the major facility of the inter-university research
institute to guide fusion science?
(1) Does the LHD project produce excellent research achievements by making use of theadvantages

ofGeneralCollaborations,

LHD

Project

Collaborations

andBilateral

Collaborations?
The three Collaborations are well prepared enough to handle a various type of joint activities with
universities. The coordinated work has raised the research standard of the participants andproduced a number of research findings. The three Collaborations are an indispensable system forthe prosperity of the fusion community. It is extremely highly commended.

(2) Does the LHD project contribute to interdisciplinary development in cooperation withresearchers from a wide range of fields as well as fusion science?
Represented by the collaboration on non-equilibrium plasmas using the solar observational satellite
Hinode, coordination with studies of other fields, such as atomic physics, astrophysics and lightsource development, is being promoted and showing a good record. It is highly commended.

(3) Does the LHD project contribute to the development of research in universities?
A lot of universities use the program to advance their research and provide highly specialized
education, so it makes a considerable contribution. The LHD experiment greatly helps train young
researchers. In particular, the fact that the large-scale device has been ready to use as the place ofcollaboration over the past 14 years is a great help in terms of advancing fusion research ofuniversities. It is extremely highly commended.

[4] Promotion of international cooperation and collaboration
Does the LHD project make a sufficient contribution to the in international cooperation andcollaboration?
(1) Does the LHD project produce achievements as the center of activities of international
comprehensive agreements and academic exchange agreements between institutes?
The project is working for a lot of international agreements over comprehensive cooperation andacademic exchanges. It fulfills the role of the center of international collaborations sufficiently well.
It is highly commended.

14

(2) Does the LHD project promote cooperation with and contribution to ITER/BA?
For ITER Project, it is actively involved in the ITPA activities and helps the technicaladvancement of heating devices or cryogenic system. For BA, it cooperates in a wide area
including fusion materials, neutron sources, JT-60SA Research Plan and SC performance testing.
It is highly commended.

[5] Human resource development
Does the LHD project contribute to human resource development of researchers with a global vision
required for long-term fusion research?
LHD is very active in training COE researchers as well as young LHD experiment leaders andmakes a significant contribution to the development of human resources. It is highly commended.
It is desired the project continue to bring up young researchers to be international leaders.

[6]Future planIs the plan of the LHD project looking forward to the next decade appropriate in terms of the second
mid-term plan, etc?
Toward the goal of attaining high-performance plasmas which can be extrapolated to a fusion
reactor, the plan predicts it will be accomplished around the end of the third 6-year mid-term andtakes three measures to this end: upgrade of heating devices, installation of closed divertors andlaunch of deuterium experiment campaign. It is an appropriate plan and highly commended.
Discussion is desired to make plans of plasma research and fusion reactor engineering research thatlook to the future.

Extremely high marks are given to the achievements of LHD, the maintenance effort of research
circumstances, the system of the three Collaborations as well as the contribution to the advancementof research in universities. The other items like the expansion of diagnostics and theoretic/analytic
models, interdisciplinary coordination, international coordination, human resource development andfuture plan also receive high marks. All these results could be attributed to the high quality ofacademic and technological skills of LHD staff as well as the patiently continued effort of them.
The reviewers also discuss what it should do for further improvement. Here is a summary of therecommendations. It is hoped the advice will help future operation.
(1) It is desired that the LHD as the leading device of inter-university research activities continue toserve as a large-scale experiment platform of the world’s fusion research.
(2) It is hoped that the installation of closed divertor will be completed and the deuterium15experiment will start as soon as possible to push the maximization of the LHD capability
forward.
(3) It is desired that the LHD activity continuously encompass the work for the ITER project andthe BA activities.
(4) It is hoped the LHD project will guide the world’s fusion research and produce
internationally-competitive human resources.
(5) It is desired a discussion start over a plan that looks to the future after the deuterium campaign
is completed.
To NIFS, which is a central body of the fusion community, it is hoped that it will work harder toobtain public understanding and support to the new energy of fusion power.

16

FY2011 External Peer Review Result (Chart)
Number of persons

Items

S
A
B
Averagescores[1](1)The level ofresearch
results byinternational
standard[1](2)[2](1)
Academic
The LHDadvancement Project

13
4
0
4.76

9
8
0
4.59

[2](2)
Maintenanceandenhancementof devices[2](3)[3](2)
Expansion and [3](1)Coordinationenrichment of The threewith otherdiagnostics
Collaborations
fieldsand models

5
11
1

12
5
0

6
11
0

10
7
0

4.29

4.71

4.41

4.59

[3](3)[4](1)
Contribution International
to research of academic
universities
exchanges

4
7
6
3.94

8
9
0
4.50

[4](2)
Cooperation
to ITER and
BA

[5]
Human
resource
development[6]
Future plan

3
13
1

2
14
1

4
10
3

5
9
3

4.16

4.09

4.13

4.22

Evaluation scoring
S
A
B
C
D
Items

Extremely highly commendable
Highly commendable
Commendable
Adequate
Inadequate

5
4
3
2
1

Evaluation points（Research achievements）
Does the LHD project produce high-level achievements in accordance with international standards regarding thesystematization of physics and engineering for a helical system and comprehensive understanding of toroidal plasmas directed
towards controlled fusion ?
Are the achievements, which have been obtained by the approach to the realization of high performance plasmas[1](1) extrapolatable to a fusion reactor by a helical system ,at a high level by international standards ? (refer to the note from thelast review)[1][1](2)

Does the LHD project advance scientific research towards a comprehensive understanding of toroidal plasmas?

［2］（Development of research system and environment）
Does the LHD project develop required the steps to execute the missions described in 1.

[2](1)

Does the new LHD project system, which was introduced in 2010, contribute to efficient execution of research and extensionof opportunities for collaboration?

[2](2)

Does the LHD project develop maintenance, upgrade and improvement of devices and facilities for the main device andheating systems appropriately? (refer to the note from the last review)[2](3)

Does the LHD project develop diagnostics and thoretical/analytic models with high accuracy for comprehensive
understanding of toroidal plasmas?

［3］（Promotion of Collaboration）
Does the LHD project promote collaboration as the major facility of the inter-university research institute to guide fusion
science?

[3](1)

Does the LHD project produce excellent research achievements by making use of the advantages of General Collaborations,
LHD Project Collaborations and Bilateral Collaborations?

[3](2)

Does the LHD project contribute to interdisciplinary development in cooperation with researchers from a wide range of fields
as well as fusion science?

[3](3)

Does the LHD project contribute to the development of research in universities?

［4］（Promotion of international cooperation and collaboration）
Does the LHD project make a sufficient contribution to the international community in the role of a global COE in fusion
science?

[4](1)

Does the LHD project produce achievements as the center of activities of international comprehensive agreements andacademic exchange agreements between institutes?

[4](2)

Does the LHD project promote cooperation with and contribution to ITER/BA?

[5]（Human resource development）
Does the LHD project contribute to human resource development of researchers with a global vision required for long-term
fusion research?

[6]（Future plan）
Is the plan of the LHD project looking forward to the next decade appropriate in terms of the second mid-term plan, etc?

Item-by-item average scores
5.00
4.75
4.50
4.25
4.00
3.75
3.50
3.25
Averagescore forabsolute
assessment

3.00
2.75
2.50

Item‐by‐item
averagescores

2.25
2.00
1.75
1.50
1.25
1.00

Average scores[1](1)The level of[1](2)
research
Academic
results byadvancement
international
standard
4.76

4.59

[2](1)The LHD
Project[2](2)[2](3)[3](2)[3](3)[4](1)
Maintenance Expansion and[3](1)
Coordination Contribution International
andenrichment of The threewith other to research of academicenhancement diagnostics Collaborations
fieldsuniversities
exchangesof devices
and models

4.29

4.71

4.41

4.59

3.94

4.50

4.16

[4](2)[5]
Cooperation
Human
to ITER andresourceBAdevelopment
4.09

4.13

[6]
Future plan

4.22

[1](1)The level of research results byinternational standard
5.00

[6]
Future plan

4.22

4.76

4.50

4.59

[1](2)
Academic advancement

Item‐by‐item averagescoresAverage score forabsolute assessment

4.00
3.50

[5]
Human resource development

4.13

4.29

3.00

[2](1)The LHD Project

2.50
2.00
1.50

[4](2)
Cooperation to ITER and BA[2](2)
Maintenance and enhancement ofdevices

4.09
1.00

4.71

[4](1)
International academic exchanges

4.16

4.50
[3](3)
Contribution to research ofuniversities

4.41

4.59
3.94
[3](2)
Coordination with other fields[2](3)
Expansion and enrichment of
diagnostics and models[3](1)The three Collaborations

Inter-University Research Institute Corporation
National Institutes of Natural Sciences

National Institute for Fusion Science322-6 Oroshi-cho, Toki, Gifu, 509-5292, Japan

http://www.nifs.ac.jp/