Plasma Physics and Fusion graduate student profile

Koki Imada
Third Year PhD Student

I am in my third year of my PhD programme, undertaking research in fusion plasma physics within the Plasma Physics Group. My research is in a particular type of a plasma instability called the neoclassical tearing mode (NTM), which arises from non-linear interactions between the plasma and the magnetic field, the latter used to confine the former in nuclear fusion devices (tokamaks). This type of instability creates a 'hole' in the magnetic confinement, allowing the plasma to leak and potentially leading to the disruption of the fusion operation. It is therefore vital to understand the mechanism behind its evolution, which is indeed what I am investigating.

The Department of Physics at York is a very comfortable environment

My research requires just a pen, paper and a bit of computing power, which is very handy. I may not get to play in large experimental facilities or use sophisticated supercomputers, but when I get elegant results (that are physical!) out of very complicated mathematics, it is highly rewarding!

The Department of Physics at York is a very comfortable environment, facing the campus lake and surrounded by various species of waterfowl. Everybody in the Department – postgraduates, postdoctoral researchers, academic staff and admin staff all alike – are very friendly and helpful. That is also the case with people in my research group, and the last two years of my time here has flown by, but with much enjoyment and, needless to say, a fair amount of physics learning!