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Introduction
Fusion
energy research necessitates synergy among a variety of human and technical
resources. To achieve the conditions to generate energy by thermonuclear
fusion, many physics and technology disciplines should be tackled in parallel. These
include ultra-high vacuum, generation of strong magnetic fields with
low-temperature or high-temperature superconductors, electrical and mechanical
engineering, plasma generation and control, remote sensing and monitoring,
auxiliary heating, neutron physics, radiation protection, and high heat-flux
handling of materials that face extremely hot and dense plasmas, to cite a few.
This is in addition to the mathematical and computational skills to understand
and simulate the plasma and material properties. Consequently, although direct
research and development in the field of fusion in the Arab world is limited at
present, the manpower and know-how in the different areas exist in our region. ​
Present Fusion-Relevant Activities in the Arab World
In the Arab world, several plasma science research activities are being pursued in the field of fusion research to understand plasma properties and their applications. This research in general is being championed by individual scientists or groups scattered throughout the Arab world at different research laboratories and universities. Consequently, it is hard to have a full account of the research done in this field in areas related to fusion physics, mathematics, or engineering. The list of research activities below is by far not exhaustive but should be considered indicative of the Arab manpower that exists in the Region. Examining countries from West to East of the Arab world, we note the following fusion-relevant activities:
Morocco: Several researchers are involved in teaching plasma physics courses at different universities. For example, work is being done at the Physics Department of the Université Mohammed Premier, in Oujda[M1] where the group Laboratoire de Physique, de la Matière et de Rayonnement[M2] is doing research on plasma physics.
Algeria: Professors from several universities are involved in this field. We cite the Université d'Oran des Sciences et de la Technologie Mohamed Boudiaf, where undergraduate as well as graduate plasma physics courses are taught[A1], in addition to a dedicated laboratory Laboratoire de physique plasmas des matériaux conducteur et leur applications, where more than 10 researchers are actively involved[A2].​​ Another university working in the field of plasma physics is the University of Science and Technology – Houari Boumediene where a dedicated laboratory Sciences Nucléaires et Interactions Rayonnements-Matière[A3] deals with materials reactions to high-energy radiation. Moreover, in the Physics​ Department, research is being conducted on radio-frequency (RF) plasmas and thin films[A4]. The University of Abou-Bakr Bel Kaid-Tlemcen is an active institution in this field, offering a Master's degree in Plasma Physics and Ionized Gas[A5]. Moreover, the Centre de Developments des technologies Avancees[A6], is located in Algiers with a group of experts in ionized media and lasers.
Tunisia: The development of a fusion laboratory is underway as a collaborative effort among the University of Tunis El-Manar[T1], the National Center for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies [T2], Ì©¹ú²ÊƱ, and the Institute of Plasma Physics, the Chinese Academy of Science (ASIPP). After finalizing the design, the team will build a device to test materials for fusion applications using an RF source.
Libya: The LIBTOR tokamak was installed in 1982 at Libya's Tajoura Nuclear Research Centre[L1]. It is an old TM4-4 machine, which was operated at the Kurchatov Institute from 1969 to 1973 in Russia. However, we are not aware of any recent publication that informs us about the status of this device.
Egypt: A large number of scientists working in the field of plasma physics are identified. To cite a few, at Alexandria University, there is a Master's as well as a Ph.D. degree program in plasma physics and a fusion track at the Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Department of the Faculty of Engineering[E1].
At Zagazig University, there is a Plasma and Energy Applications Research Laboratory, which is heavily involved in plasma chemistry[E2]. The facilities present are micro-wave discharge, D.C. Glow Discharge, and fast Z-Pinch. The research activity is focused on plasma deposition, etching, and deoxidation. Studies are conducted on reverse current in fast Z-Pinch.
Plasma modeling and generation is being performed at the Plasma Physics and Nuclear Fusion Department, at the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA)[E3]. About eight permanent researchers are actively involved with the main facilities including three machines of plasma focus with different geometries to study instabilities and X-ray production, a toroidal pinch device, and a Z-pinch device to study non-linear heating by cascade discharges. Moreover, there are three plasma accelerators and a glow discharge for plasma applications.
At Al-Azhar University, the Institute of Plasma Technology[E4] has a glow discharge machine with the main research topics on the usage of Ozone for waste and coal treatment. They also use an RF plasma to study the deposition of materials on substrates. Moreover, the Institute is equipped with a plasma focus device to investigate the emission of energetic particles and X-rays for a variety of applications. It is worth highlighting that there exists an Egyptian Plasma Society (EGYPlasma)[E5], which is an online-based platform that introduces plasma research to Egyptian institutions, offers plasma education, and gives online tutorials on the tools for technical/scientific writing and numerical/programming. At the American University in Cairo (AUC), a small group of faculty and students have developed an interest in exploring the field of fusion energy and local activities are progressing. There is a Tokamak (Egyptor) at EAEA, but to our best knowledge, it is not presently operational.
Lebanon: At Ì©¹ú²ÊƱ[Lb1], a linear plasma simulator device was built for training students and other researchers in the fields of plasma physics and fusion energy. Research is being done in a variety of fields with a focus on turbulence and tokamak's edge-localized mode properties, confinement, novel diagnostics development, and divertor concepts.
Jordan: It is the host country of SESAME[J1], which is an electron accelerator that generates synchrotron light that could be used to study a wide range of disciplines that cover archeology, materials science, and health and natural sciences. Moreover, a 5 MW nuclear fission research reactor has been operational since 2017, which can be utilized in setting up the safety rules for a nuclear fusion program.
Iraq: A serious attempt to initiate the construction of a toroidal device under the leadership of the University of Baghdad[I1] is currently being undertaken.
Summary of the present activities
The above concise account of current research capabilities in plasma physics/applications and fusion energy in various Arab countries does not cover all relevant research performed to date. In summary, we have identified in the Arab world, two non-operational tokamaks, one linear device simulator, several glow discharge plasma units, and Z-pinches. Plasma physics courses are given at several Arab universities and were offered at two major conferences in Egypt and Tunisia. The main challenge is to gather the individual scientists into a large entity, in which the Arab Fusion Energy Program could provide the opportunity for a unified theme. There is an essential need to increase the funding for fusion energy research in the Arab world and enhance scientific and technological expertise in the fields of plasma physics and fusion technology. ​