I can participate in more experiments without having to be physically in the toakamak control room. Another Sandia fusion researcher, Jon Watkins, works on other parts of the experiment and lives in San Diego. Being on-site, Watkins helps maintain the equipment. Although remote operation doesn't eliminate travel, Buchenauer estimates that he'll save about three weeks of time each year. The increased flexibility has also allowed him to work on other projects.
Remote experimentation requires both data acquisition and analysis.
His technician Josh Whaley wrote the control and acquisition software for the data set. Fusion occurs when two hydrogen atoms are joined to become a heavier helium atom. This process powers the sun, and may one day provide a net energy gain in man- made power plants. Buchenauer is studying how to divert the plasma inside the tokamak so components of the reactor walls don't vaporize and consume energy during the reaction. The DIII-D is the largest tokamak in the United States with a diverter structure, and supports development of the planned International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor.