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Abstract: The assessment of JET magnetics has been carried out using a statistical technique on a large set of sensor data. The results highlight that improved accuracy in the magnetic field reconstruction can be obtained by making an efficient use of the information brought in by the available sensors, in conjunction with the new magnetics that will be installed during the 2004 shutdown (JET Enhancement on Magnetic Diagnostics). Moreover, the better estimation of the magnetic configuration provides an improved capability to locate the plasma boundary and determine its shape. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new model-based plasma current and shape controller has been set up and tested on the JET Tokamak with the existing active circuits and control. The installation has been carried out without causing any interference to the plasma operation and without requiring a long commissioning time. Eventually, the new controller was used on really extremely shaped internal transport barrier experiments at high poloidal beta and in the presence of quite large variations of the plasma current density profile (variation range Δβ pol up to 1.5 and Δl i up to 0.5). The extreme shape controller (XSC) controller architecture and philosophy also offer new interesting opportunities, e.g., the separatrix sweeping on the divertor plates without significantly affecting the overall plasma shape, and the possibility of improving the overall tokamak performance via combined control of plasma shape, current and profile. The adopted methodology constitutes also an important test bed for feedback control strategies of ITER relevance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study we derive linear models describing the dynamics of the n =0 plasma displacements around the main ITER equilibrium configurations. The models derived are consistent with the MHD equilibrium constraint as well as with the 3D geometry of the vacuum vessel and blanket outer triangular support where the main eddy currents flow takes place. Particular emphasis is placed on the analysis of the stability margin, growth time and minimum stabilization voltage. The performances of the present ITER control system (single loop) are compared to those of an upgraded system (double-loop) that is here proposed to improve the stability domain of the ITER plasmas forecast. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new model-based shape controller (XSC, i.e., eXtreme Shape Controller) able to operate with high elongation and triangularity plasmas has been designed and implemented at JET in 2003. The use of the XSC needs a number of steps, which at present are not automated and therefore imply the involvement of several experts. To help the session leader in preparing an experiment, a number of software tools are needed. The paper describes the SW tools that are currently in the developing phase, and describes the new framework for the preparation of a JET experiment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The development of linear model of the present JET (Joint European Torus) electromagnetic system has allowed the design of an optimized Plasma Shape Controller. Quite extreme plasma boundaries (elongation k=1.9 and triangularity 〈δ〉=0.6) are shown to be controllable also in the presence of large variations of the values of poloidal beta (0.1<βp<0.6) and/or internal magnetic inductance (0.8

The age of spreading of the Liguro–Provenc¸al Basin is still poorly constrained due to the lack of boreholes penetrating the whole sedimentary sequence above the oceanic crust and the lack of a clear magnetic anomaly pattern. In the past, a consensus developed over a fast (20.5–19 Ma) spreading event, relying on old paleomagnetic data from Oligo–Miocene Sardinian volcanics showing a drift-related 30° counterclockwise (CCW) rotation. Here we report new paleomagnetic data from a 10-m-thick lower–middle Miocene marine sedimentary sequence from southwestern Sardinia. Ar/Ar dating of two volcanoclastic levels in the lower part of the sequence yields ages of 18.94±0.13 and 19.20±0.12 Ma (lower–mid Burdigalian). Sedimentary strata below the upper volcanic level document a 23.3±4.6° CCW rotation with respect to Europe, while younger strata rapidly evolve to null rotation values. A recent magnetic overprint can be excluded by several lines of evidence, particularly by the significant difference between the in situ paleomagnetic and geocentric axial dipole (GAD) field directions. In both the rotated and unrotated part of the section, only normal polarity directions were obtained. As the global magnetic polarity time scale (MPTS) documents several geomagnetic reversals in the Burdigalian, a continuous sedimentary record would imply that (unrealistically) the whole documented rotation occurred in few thousands years only. We conclude that the section contains one (or more) hiatus(es), and that the minimum age of the unrotated sediments above the volcanic levels is unconstrained. Typical back-arc basin spreading rates translate to a duration ≥3 Ma for the opening of the Liguro–Provenc¸al Basin. Thus, spreading and rotation of Corsica–Sardinia ended no earlier than 16 Ma (early Langhian). A 16–19 Ma, spreading is corroborated by other evidences, such as the age of the breakup unconformity in Sardinia, the age of igneous rocks dredged west of Corsica, the heat flow in the Liguro–Provenc¸al Basin, and recent paleomagnetic data from Sardinian sediments and volcanics. Since Corsica was still rotating/drifting eastward at 16 Ma, it presumably induced significant shortening to the east, in the Apennine belt. Therefore, the lower Miocene extensional basins in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea and margins can be interpreted as synorogenic “intra-wedge” basins due to the thickening and collapse of the northern Apennine wedge. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]