ICFDT8 8th International Conference on Frontier in Diagnostic Technologies

19 Oct 2026, 08:50 → 21 Oct 2026, 18:00 UTC

Sala Bruno Brunelli (Frascati)

Francesco Paolo Orsitto, Giuseppe Finocchiaro, Rosaria Villari

ICFDT (International Conference Frontiers in Diagnotics Technologies) is an interdisciplinary conference, aimed at bringing together scientists, engineers and experts from industries. to discuss common interests in concepts and realization of measurement systems. 
Contributions are welcome from the frontiers of diagnostics in different areas of research: high energy and accelerator physics and technology, nuclear fusion plasmas, space and astrophysics research, medical applications, lasers physics and technology, etc.

The Conference ICFDT8 (#ICFDT8) is co-organized by the Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l’Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile  (ENEA), the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) and the International Center Piero Caldirola ETS (ICPC), with financial support from the European Space Agency (ESA), the Milano-Bicocca University and CAEN (Electronics for Research Company).

A special focus of this 8th edition (ICFDT8) will be the discussion on ‘ the measurement in the AI era’. Alongside the main framework of plasma physics, the interdisciplinary character of the conference is fully maintained, together with sessions dedicated to diagnostic techniques for the ‘preservation of cultural heritage’.

The ICFDT8 is organized in 10 sessions, two poster (poster dim. 841 x 1.189 mm (A0) vertical)sessions: a session is dedicated to diagnostics for high energy physics experiments and special sessions on diagnostics of DTT  and EAST Tokamaks.

The program will include oral presentations (15'+5') and tutorials (25'+5'). Short oral presentations of 8' + 2', aimed particularly at students, can also be proposed.

ICFDT8 encourages the ‘in person’ participation: the remote participation will be considered possible but extraordinary.

The ICFDT8 proceedings will be published on The Journal of Instrumentation (JINST).

ICFDT Topics

• Imaging and medical application
• Fusion products
• Inertial fusion
• Industrial and cold plasmas
• Cultural heritage
• Environmental applications and safety
• Fusion machines (including subtopics on: measurements of temperature and density; DTT and East tokamaks)
• High energy physics and plasma acceleration
• Precision measurements in fundamental physics
• Astrophysics
• AI in support of diagnostics

 

---

 

IMPORTANT DATES

• • Abstract submission deadline June 30 Postponed July 20
  • Abstract acceptance notification July 15 Postponed July 31
  • Early registration deadline August 31
  • Late registration deadline September 25

 

TAGS: #ICFDT8, #Fusion, #workshop, #ENEA, #Energy, 

A3_Convegno ICDFT8_mg.pdf

CAEN_Prize_2026_application_form_cl.pdf

docx_instructions.pdf

First Announcement

Instructions_For_Authors_rev.pdf

Template Abstract ICFDT8.pdf

Monday 19 October

09:15 → 09:30 Welcome and conference opening

09:30 → 10:40 Imaging and medical application

09:30 CHEMINFORMATICS AND HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING FOR ILLICIT DRUG INTELLIGENCE: TOWARD A STANDARDIZED FRAMEWORK FOR NPS AND COMPLEX MIXTURE ANALYSIS

New psychoactive substances (NPS) pose a major forensic intelligence challenge because related analogues are often described through heterogeneous naming conventions that obscure true molecular relationships and complicate comparison across laboratories. Chemoinformatics can normalize this information by linking names to structure-based identifiers such as SMILES and InChIKey, enabling rigorous comparison of molecular formulae, analogue series, precursors, metabolites, and formulation profiles in interoperable forensic databases [1]. These tools are essential for correlating chemically complex samples with HRMS and GC-MS data, especially when the same substance appears under multiple names or in rapidly evolving NPS markets.
When complex mixtures are present, chromatographic and mass-spectrometric information can be complemented by imaging approaches that reveal spatially resolved chemical heterogeneity [2]. In this context, the European project NARCOSIS [3] shows how chemometrics, cheminformatics, and spectroscopy can be integrated to standardize illicit-drug identification and improve cross-laboratory comparability. Building on the use of CHSInvestigator hyperspectral imaging software validated on blood traces [4], chemical signatures will be more readily visualized in heterogeneous forensic samples, supporting the interpretation of adulterants, cutting agents, active compounds, and formulation patterns.
By combining preprocessing, dimensionality reduction, and supervised classification, this framework enhances the detection of subtle spectral signatures in mixed samples and offers a promising route for future NPS screening and formulation comparison. It may also be translated to illicit-drug examination and, more broadly, to cultural heritage applications involving pictorial layers, pigments, and painted artworks.
[1] Engel T., Gasteiger J. (2018). Chemoinformatics: Basic Concepts and Methods. Wiley-VCH.
[2] Spinelli, E., Casamassima, R., & Marini, F. (2026). Non-destructive forensic identification and quantification of cocaine through sealed packaging using FT-NIR spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging. Analytica Chimica Acta.
[3] Non-tArgeted foRensic multidisCiplinary platfOrm for inveStigation of drug-related fatalitieS, GA 101168195
[4] Iacobellis G., Manso M., Panunzi G.G., Casamassima R., Savi E., Voria F.G. (in course of submission). CSIAnalyzer: An Automated Hyperspectral Imaging Workflow for In Situ Visualization and Remote Qualification of Latent Forensic Traces. Internal document.

Speaker: giuliano iacobellis (RaCIS)

Abstract_Iacobellis.docx

10:00 How Multimodal Imaging Is Redefining Precision Medicine

How Multimodal Imaging Is Redefining Precision Medicine
A. Cedola1, F. Palermo1
1CNR-Institute of Nanotechnology
c/o Physics Dept Sapienza University
Piazzale Aldo Moro 5 00185 Rome-Italy
Corresponding author: e-mail

The advent of multimodal imaging strategies is fundamentally transforming precision medicine by enabling comprehensive, multi-scale characterization of biological tissues across health and disease. The integrative use of Electron Microscopy (EM), X-ray Phase-Contrast Tomography (XPCT), and Histology provides a synergistic framework that bridges macroscopic tissue architecture and nanoscale ultrastructural detail within a single, spatially coherent analytical pipeline.
The correlative and sequential application of these modalities on the same specimen, Correlative Multimodal Imaging (CMI), enables the identification of structural biomarkers invisible to any single technique alone.
We focused on a compelling application of this multimodal approach neurodegenerative diseases, where the complexity of pathological mechanisms demands resolution across multiple biological scales. Of relevance is the emerging role of the gut-brain axis in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Growing evidence implicates intestinal dysbiosis, compromised gut barrier integrity, and peripheral neuroinflammatory signaling as early and potentially causative contributors to AD pathogenesis, preceding canonical hallmarks such as amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles. CMI offers a unique opportunity to simultaneously characterize enteric nervous system ultrastructure, intestinal epithelial tight-junction remodeling via EM, three-dimensional mucosal architecture via XPCT, and neuroinflammatory cell profiling via immunohistochemistry, establishing structural correlates of gut-brain miscommunication at unprecedented resolution.
By integrating these complementary modalities, multimodal imaging is redefining precision diagnostics, enabling mechanistically informed patient stratification, accelerating biomarker discovery, and opening new therapeutic windows in complex multisystem disorders such as AD.
The figure below shows one of our findings on gut investigation using XPCT.

Speaker: ALESSIA CEDOLA (CNR-NANOTEC)

Figura.png

10:20 Beyond Absorption: New Detector Concepts for Spectral, Phase-Contrast, and Time-Resolved X-ray Imaging

For more than a century, X-ray imaging has been largely synonymous with absorption contrast. Today, however, advances in detector technology are fundamentally changing this paradigm. Modern detectors are evolving from passive image sensors into instruments that determine which physical property of the X-ray beam is measured. Beyond attenuation, they can now provide access to photon energy, wavefront distortions, small-angle scattering, and ultrafast temporal dynamics, enabling a new generation of multimodal X-ray imaging techniques.
This presentation reviews recent developments in detector concepts that are driving this transformation, including photon-counting and energy-resolving detectors, direct-conversion semiconductor technologies, hybrid pixel detectors, and emerging ultrafast architectures for synchrotron, free-electron laser, and fusion plasma diagnostics [1-5]. Their implementation in spectral imaging, and phase-contrast imaging, dark-field imaging, and time-resolved experiments will be illustrated through representative examples. Particular attention will be given to the intimate relationship between detector architecture and the physical information that can be extracted from an experiment.
A central theme of the talk is that each imaging modality is linked to a distinct physical observable extracted by the detector: absorption measures attenuation, spectral imaging resolves photon energy, phase-contrast reveals wavefront distortions, dark-field imaging quantifies unresolved microstructure through small-angle scattering, and time-resolved detection captures the evolution of dynamic processes on ever shorter timescales. This transition from measuring intensity alone to measuring multiple complementary observables is fundamentally redefining the role of X-ray detectors.
As detector technologies continue to evolve, they are no longer simply recording X-ray images—they are becoming scientific instruments capable of simultaneously encoding multiple physical observables from every detected photon. The next revolution in X-ray imaging will therefore be driven not only by brighter sources, but by detector systems that transform every photon into a richer source of quantitative information, paving the way toward truly multimodal X-ray diagnostics across synchrotron science, free-electron lasers, fusion research, medicine, and industry.

Speaker: Prof. Ralf Hendrik Menk (Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste)

abstract_menk.docx

10:40 → 11:20 Fusion products

11:20 → 11:50 Coffee Break

11:50 → 13:10 Inertial fusion

11:50 Diagnostics for Inertial Fusion Beyond NIF and OMEGA

NIF's 2022 ignition demonstration, built on diagnostic techniques shared with OMEGA, established a mature suite of implosion diagnostics — neutron time-of-flight and imaging, gated x-ray radiography, VISAR, Compton radiography, and nuclear activation spectrometry — suited to single, richly instrumented shots fired at most a few times per day. Inertial fusion energy (IFE) demands a different paradigm, reached not in one leap but through an intermediate stage.
A key intermediate goal is diagnostics for a facility at the scale envisioned by Europe's HiPER+ roadmap: a direct-drive research centre operating at hundreds of kilojoules and elevated repetition rates, well short of the ~10 Hz, >100 MJ regime of a commercial plant. Such a facility must retain NIF/OMEGA-level diagnostic precision for mix, drive symmetry, and hydrodynamic instabilities while beginning to operate under radiation loading and repeated firing that present single-shot instrumentation cannot support.
This talk surveys that transition: which existing diagnostic concepts adapt with modest re-engineering to a HiPER+-scale facility, which require new radiation-hardened, higher-repetition-rate detectors, and what further development separates such an intermediate facility from the diagnostic suite needed for a demonstration power plant.

Speaker: Thomas Cowan (HZDR (Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf))

12:10 Laser interaction with foam targets for the generation of laser-driven sources of particles and radiation for diagnostics of plasma

Laser interaction with near-critical density plasma generated from low-density polymer foams provides an efficient platform for direct laser acceleration of electrons. In experiments performed at the sub-picosecond PHELIX laser facility, polymer foams with densities ranging from 2 to 8 mg/cc were homogenized using a controlled nanosecond pre-pulse to ensure entire plasma homogenization before being irradiated by a relativistic short-pulse laser at intensities of approximately 1E19 W/cm2. This interaction drives high-current electron beams with energies up to 100 MeV through direct laser acceleration [1, 2]. When directed onto high-Z converters such as gold or tungsten, these relativistic electrons produce ultra-bright, high-intensity bremsstrahlung radiation in the MeV range [2-5].
Recent campaigns demonstrated record-breaking laser-to-photon conversion efficiencies of up to 1.8 % for photon energies above the giant dipole resonance threshold. To characterize these primary and secondary radiation sources, advanced nuclear diagnostic methods were implemented, including sample activation followed by high-purity germanium detector spectroscopy to analyze photonuclear reactions in tantalum, gold, and indium. These techniques enable precise evaluation of bremsstrahlung spectra, effective photon temperatures, and secondary neutron fields even under challenging high-gamma-background conditions. The developed platform demonstrates great potential for driving diverse nuclear reactions and establishing advanced radiation-based diagnostics for high energy density science and plasma physics at modern laser facilities. Our approach was confirmed during shots at the NIF-ARC facility in Feb. 2026, providing ten times higher 196Au yield per J laser energy compared to application of compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) [6].

[1] A. Pukhov, Z.-M. Sheng, J. Meyer-ter-Vehn (1999), Particle acceleration in relativistic laser channels. Physics of Plasmas, 6, 2847-2854.
[2] O. Rosmej, et al. (2020) "High-current laser-driven beams of relativistic electrons for high energy density research." Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, 62.11, 115024.
[3] P. Tavana (2020) Untersuchung photonuklearer Reaktionen in relativistischen Laser-Materie-Wechselwirkungen am PHELIX-Lasersystem. Master's thesis. Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Germany.
[4] M. Günther (2011), Untersuchung relativistischer Laserplasmen mittels nukleardiagnostischer Verfahren. Ph.D. thesis, Technische Universität Darmstadt.
[5] S. Busch (2024) Anwendung der Nukleardiagnostik zur Charakterisierung von MeV-Bremsstrahlung in Experimenten zur Wechselwirkung relativistischer Laserpulse mit Schäumen. Master's thesis. Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Germany.
[6] S. Kerr (2023) Phys. Plasmas, 30, 013101.

Speaker: Sebastian Busch

S_Busch.docx

12:30 Applications and potential of XFEL radiation for foams and hydrodynamic instabilities

Hydrodynamic instabilities and mixing play a fundamental role in inertial confinement fusion and more generally in the development of strongly shocked plasma flows. However, due to the limitations provided by laser-generated X-ray sources, it is difficult to probe hydrodynamic instabilities and mixing with sufficient resolution at high power laser facilities to visualize the onset of such microphysics and connect it to the later time developments.
With their extreme source brilliance, hard X-ray free electron lasers provide novel capabilities to probe laser-matter interaction [1]. We present here recent developments in hard X-ray small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to probe submicron-scale structures in addition to grating interferometry [2,3,4] to enable differential phase contrast imaging and dark field imaging in laser-driven shocked foams while still preserving absorption-based radiographs. We will discuss in particular how SAXS combined together with advanced radiography methods enables a more refined description of extreme dynamics in laser-driven shock compression experiments [5].
Novel analysis methods will be demonstrated on recent datasets acquired at both MEC instrument (LCLS) and HED instrument (EuXFEL) to illustrate how SAXS, differential phase contrast imaging and dark field imaging enable to advance our understanding of micro-physics and mixing in laser-driven shocked foams and instabilities such as Rayleigh-Taylor.

This work was supported by IFE-STAR issued as SLAC FWP 101126 and FWP100182, DOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). This work has also been supported by a research grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (No. PID2022-137632OB-I00) and German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space - Project VANLIFE - within Fusion 2040 program. This work was supported by the US Department of Energy through the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by Triad National Security, LLC, for the National Nuclear Security Administration of U.S. Department of Energy (Contract No. 89233218CNA000001

[1] A. Laso Garcia et al 2026 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 68 035027
[2] M.P. Valdivia et al, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 93, 115102 (2022)
[3] E. Galtier et al, Scientific Reports, 15(1), 7588, (2025).
[4] V. Bouffetier et al, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 96, 123508 (2025)
[5] C. Parisuana et al, Phys. Plasmas 32, 082707 (2025)

Speaker: Victorien Bouffetier (Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden Rossendorf)

12:50 X-ray Phase Contrast Imaging in Inertial Fusion Experiments

X-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCI) is a cutting-edge diagnostic technique that enables the recording of the phase and absorption as an X-ray beam with some transverse coherence passes through a target. The phase information supports the detection of steep density gradients, as a result XPCI is particularly well-suited for imaging laser-driven shock propagation inside low and high opacity targets. In this work, we advanced the platform originally developed by L. Antonelli et al [1] at the GSI PHELIX laser facility. A short-pulse laser was focused onto different targets to generate a point-like X-ray characteristic and bremsstrahlung backlighter with a source–to–object distance of 24 cm, and an image plate detector placed to record images with a magnification of 9. We discuss the use of different target materials and geometries to optimize the backlighter performance. This system is applied to the study of shock waves propagating through planar plastic and low-density foam targets. We demonstrate high-quality imaging and impact of ongoing efforts to extend this platform toward direct imaging of early-time, laser-imprinted perturbations. This is a critical topic for understanding hydrodynamic instability growth in laser direct-drive inertial confinement fusion and developing predictive implosion designs.

[1] Antonelli, L. et al. EPL 125, 35002 (2019)

Acknowledgements
The results presented in this manuscript are based on the experiment P-24-00229, which was performed at the target station PTA at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt (Germany) in the frame of FAIR Phase-0. This research was supported by the EPSRC and First Light Fusion under the AMPLIFI Prosperity Partnership - EP/X025373/1. The research leading to these results has received funding from LASERLAB-EUROPE (grant agreement no. 871124, EU's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. We greatly acknowledge the support of the Vulcan dark period community support programme 24-3.

Speaker: Xu Zhao

13:10 → 14:10 Lunch

14:10 → 15:00 Industrial and cold plasmas

14:10 From Discharge Physics to Reactive Chemistry: an Integrated Diagnostic Path to Plasma Agriculture.

Plasma agriculture exploits low-temperature plasmas to generate Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species (RONS) that enhance seed germination [1, 2], stimulate plant growth [3], improve post-harvest preservation [4, 5], and reduce pesticide residues [5]. Large-scale deployment requires quantitative understanding and control of plasma-driven reactive chemistry across gas and liquid phases, a demand reinforced by the growing interest in Plasma-Activated Water (PAW) [6].
This calls for spatially and temporally resolved diagnostics that link discharge physics, reactive species production, transport and gas–liquid transfer. We present a multi-diagnostic framework for custom-made atmospheric-pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactors operating in ambient air for agricultural applications.
Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) monitored discharge dynamics. The N2 FNS/SPS intensity ratio served as an indicator of the reduced electric field E/N, correlating operating conditions with RONS production regimes. Electric Field Induced Second Harmonic generation (EFISH) provided non-intrusive, time- and space-resolved measurement of the electric field in the active plasma region, giving an independent validation of the E/N trends inferred from OES and linking discharge electrical properties to reactive species generation.
Laser-Induced Fluorescence tracked NO and OH. The rapid decay of OH marks the active plasma region. Absolute NO concentrations were obtained, and the spatial profiles reveal the balance between production, transport and loss. Raman spectroscopy was assessed as a label-free, multi-species diagnostic for NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻ and H₂O₂, the key RONS in PAW. Colorimetric assays validated the Raman results, showing monotonic increases of all species with treatment time and concurrent acidification. FT-IR spectroscopy provided complementary gas-phase analysis, confirming nitrogen oxides and other long-lived species in the afterglow and effluent gases.
Together, these diagnostics connect discharge physics to application-relevant chemistry and provide a basis for reactor optimization, scale-up and predictive control of plasma treatments.
References
[1] Aceto D. et al., 2024, Front. Phys. 12, 1455481;
[2] Ambrico P.F. et al., 2017, J. Phys. D 50, 305401;
[3] Aceto D. et al., 2024, Front. Phys. 12, 1399910;
[4] Rotondo P.R. et al., 2025, Sci. Rep. 15, 5536;
[5] Aceto D. et al., 2025, Chem. Biol. Technol. Agric. 12, 151;
[6] Thirumdas R. et al., 2018, Trends in Food Science & Technology 77, 21-31.

Speaker: Domenico Aceto (CNR - ISTP)

D_Aceto.docx

14:30 The Modular Diagnostics Platform (MDP): A Standardized, Port-Integrated Architecture for Utility-Scale Fusion Plasma

Fusion power plants based on magnetic confinement concepts will operate in long-pulse, largely burning-plasma regimes with intense high-energy neutron fluxes, gamma heating, and high thermal loads. In this environment, today's scientific multi-diagnostic approach becomes impractical, since these systems are typically one-of-a-kind, low-TRL solutions that have not historically been optimised for harsh environments and that create large openings in potential breeding and shielding structures. This work presents the Modular Diagnostics Platform (MDP): a microwave-based, port-plug–integrated measurement complex that consolidates a minimal yet sufficient set of fusion-plant-relevant diagnostics into a standardized, maintainable product architecture. The MDP integrates plasma-facing components and observation apertures, transmission lines, graded neutron/gamma shielding, thermal management, vacuum boundaries, and shared utilities (power, cooling, pneumatics/gas services, and tritium monitoring) within a common mechanical envelope and interface specification. This "port-as-a-product" design enables factory qualification, reduces penetrations and first-wall footprint, and supports remote-handling exchange at both full-plug and sub-module levels, including vacuum-preserving local isolation strategies. Reliability is addressed through redundancy by design (geometric redundancy, dual-chain hardware redundancy, multi-band microwave spectral redundancy, and algorithmic redundancy via reconstruction). The core of the measurement system consists of microwave diagnostics, including interferometry, reflectometry, electron cyclotron emission radiometry, and Collective Thomson Scattering. These diagnostics provide information on critical core plasma parameters, including electron density and temperature profiles, fluctuations, fast-particle distribution, and fuel ratio. Microwave systems enable the placement of sensitive receiving and generating equipment behind neutron and gamma protection barriers, using waveguide lines optimised for transmission within a specific frequency band. On the engineering side, combining multiple diagnostic transmission lines reduces the number of at-risk components, thereby increasing shielding volume and efficiency. The Versatile Integrated Data Acquisition (VIDA) backend enables a synchronized control and acquisition pipeline for real-time reconstruction of the plasma state, supported by model-based software and synthetic diagnostics. VIDA provides a standardized set of plasma parameters, along with their associated uncertainties and reliabilities, for use by plant control and protection systems.

Speaker: Georgy Subbotin (Next Step Fusion S.a.r.l)

14:50 An unconventional non-invasive device for monitoring low-energy ion beams

Accurate characterization of the intensity and composition of ion beams extracted from a source and transported through a low-energy beam transport (LEBT) line is crucial for several scientific, industrial, and medical applications, where beam contaminants may compromise treatment plans or irradiation protocols.
State-of-the-art diagnostics for measuring beam current and composition are typically invasive, which limits their use for continuous online monitoring. This limitation is particularly relevant for mixed ion beams, where species with nearly identical mass-to-charge ratios cannot be separated by the analyzing magnet or reliably characterized by diagnostics installed downstream of the ion source.
The INFN-funded INSIGHT project addresses this challenge through the development of MIBEST, an innovative, non-invasive device for the online identification and quantification of mixed ion-beam components. The device exploits beam-emission spectroscopy in an unconventional configuration. This minimally invasive approach enables real-time beam-composition monitoring in LEBT lines, with potential applications in high-intensity accelerator injection systems, carbon–helium hadron therapy, ion implantation, and radiation-hardness studies.
This contribution presents the physical principles, conceptual design, and expected performance of the proposed device, together with preliminary simulation results and the planned proof-of-concept measurements.

Speaker: Grazia D'Agostino (INFN-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud)

15:20 → 16:50 Cultural heritage

15:20 Advanced Spectroscopic Characterization Across Diverse Cultural Heritage Materials: A Synergistic Approach Using LIF, Raman, LIBS, and Multi- and Hyperspectral Imaging

This study presents a multi-analytical framework for the characterization of a wide range of Cultural Heritage materials, including original constitutive materials (such as marbles, stones, inorganic pigments, and organic binders), degradation-related products, and restoration materials. By integrating the molecular specificity of LIF (Laser Induced Fluorescence) and Raman spectroscopy, the elemental depth-profiling of LIBS, and the wide-area mapping of multi- and hyperspectral imaging, it is possible to characterize and identify complex stratigraphies, evaluating the state of conservation of an artwork and contributing to the reconstruction of its history. The results highlight the efficacy of these non-invasive and micro-destructive techniques in providing a comprehensive material "fingerprint" across diverse substrates, optimizing diagnostic protocols for both conservation and historical research.

Speaker: Valeria Spizzichino (ENEA)

15:50 Multi-analytical non-destructive approach for the study of Iron Age swords from Torre Galli necropolis at UniCal STAR facility

This work is focused on the diagnostic analysis of the collection of swords found among the grave goods of the Torre Galli necropolis (10th-9th century BCE), preserved at the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria.
In this site, the military organisation played a leading role in male society and swords were symbols of political power of few family heads. The Torre Galli necropolis is widely regarded as one of the most significant archaeological sites for understanding Iron Age civilization in the Italian Peninsula.
The main aim is to characterize the constituent materials of the analysed swords to determine their composition, manufacturing techniques, and state of preservation. The artifacts have been subjected to diagnostic investigations carried out using non-invasive and/or micro-invasive techniques such as µ-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray tomography, 3D scanning and colorimetry.
The ongoing analyses have enabled the identification of both inorganic and organic materials, including iron, bronze, bone, and wood, along with the recognition of degradation phenomena.
The project also includes the development of innovative virtual restoration, exhibition, and integrated valorisation strategies for the artifacts.
These research activities are carried out at STAR (Southern Europe Thomson Backscattering Source for Applied Research), a public national research infrastructure, with European projection, dedicated to advanced X-ray and non-invasive diagnostic technologies. This enables the application of analytical traditionally available only at large-scale facilities, while offering significantly lower costs and a more compact instrumentation.
At STAR, microtomography and X-ray microscopy systems, combined with non-contact 3D reconstruction techniques such as laser scanning and photogrammetry, provide non-destructive three-dimensional imaging of both the internal structure and external morphology of samples ranging from a few millimetres to several tens of centimetres, achieving spatial resolutions down to the sub-micrometre scale.

Speaker: Prof. Riccardo Cristoforo Barberi (Dipartimento di Fisica e IR STAR, Università della Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italia)

Fig 1.png

Fig 2.png

ICFDT8_Barberi.pdf

16:10 Application of Raman micro-spectroscopy and confocal optical microscopy for monitoring and supporting the conservation/consolidation strategies of ancient papers

Archival and library materials represent an invaluable cultural heritage, yet they are inherently vulnerable to both natural and accidental degradation. Preserving the structural and chemical integrity of paper, while mitigating ageing processes, remains a central challenge in the field of cultural heritage science. In this context, physical analytical techniques have been employed with two primary objectives: (i) the development of non-invasive diagnostic protocols capable of identifying early degradation signatures before irreversible damage occurs, and (ii) the assessment of consolidation and cleaning treatments aimed at slowing down the progression of paper ageing.
Raman spectroscopy provides detailed information on the chemical and structural composition of materials. When coupled with confocal microscopy, it enables not only high-resolution morphological observation but also the acquisition of spatially resolved spectral maps, thereby significantly enhancing diagnostic capabilities. As a light–matter interaction technique, Raman spectroscopy requires no physical contact with the sample, making it inherently non-destructive and particularly well suited for fragile substrates such as paper.
In recent years, we have developed a diagnostic protocol based on spectroscopic indices derived from Raman signatures, capable of independently tracking the evolution of oxidative and hydrolytic degradation processes in paper. This methodology has been applied to a variety of case studies, including the evaluation of the conservation state of books from different historical periods, as well as the assessment of innovative cleaning and consolidation treatments, such as hydrogels, UV and EUV irradiation, and graphene-based materials.
These results highlight the potential of surface-scanning Raman spectroscopy and confocal optical microscopy as robust, non-invasive tools for monitoring degradation pathways and supporting advanced conservation strategies for archival and library collections.

Speakers: Dr Francesca Bonfigli (ENEA C.R. Frascati- NUC-TECFIS-MNF), Dr Sabina Botti (ENEA C.R. Frascati- NUC-TECFIS-MNF)

16:30 AI-assisted conservation of Korean paintings and radiation-accelerated aging of the painting substrates

The last kingdom in the Korean peninsula, Joseon dynasty (1392–1897), is known for its meticulous (even obsessive) record-keeping culture. Byeongpung, a form of folding-screen painting, is one such example in art. A byeongpung work, consisted of 6, 8, 10, or 12 panels, is often a cinematic storytelling of a ceremonial or social event — a royal banquet, a civil examination celebration, or a diplomatic reception — rendered with detailed attention to the attire and ranks of participants, architectural settings, ritual utensils, horses and other animals, and even the progression of weather and season across the sequence of panels. The works stand as irreplaceable historical documents as much as aesthetic objects.
Many such paintings were executed on silk (hwa-gyeon) and have suffered deterioration through insect damage, humidity, and molds, particularly among works displaced overseas during the turbulent modern period. A prominent example is the “Welcoming Banquet of the Governor of Pyeongan” (early 1800s; PEM E20262.A-H), which depicts a festivity welcoming civil examination passers in Pyeongan Province. It is now in the collection of the Peabody Essex Museum (USA), and has recently been treated by the Conservation Department of the Leeum Museum of Art — a treatment that required identifying and individually fitting silk infills to approximately 10,000 discrete damage sites by hand.
To address this labor-intensive bottleneck, we developed an interactive machine-learning diagnostic system that automatically detects and digitizes damage sites in high-resolution scans of Korean silk paintings. A conservator selects representative damaged and intact regions, from which a Gaussian Mixture Model is calibrated in the perceptually uniform CIE-LAB color space to classify each pixel and produce binary damage masks for review. The system is deployed as a standalone desktop application that allows conservators to manually correct false positives, and exports per-piece SVG cutting layouts directly scaled for laser-cutting of substrate infills (silk, cotton, or paper) —compressing what was previously a multi-day manual workflow into an automated, auditable pipeline.
We further present a research plan to develop a protocol accelerated aging of substrate materials to be used as physical infills in conservation. While electron beam (EB) irradiation protocols for silk have been practiced in Japan since the 1960s, no equivalent standard exists for cotton or paper substrates. We describe a planned multi-institutional program using electron beams to establish degradation libraries across a dose range of 100–2,500 kGy, with quantitative characterization of mechanical, chemical, and optical properties, alongside structured qualitative evaluation by conservation specialists. This data-driven framework is designed to ultimately inform a decision-support system recommending optimal irradiation conditions given a target substrate age — extending the reach of both AI-assisted diagnostics and radiation processing science into cultural heritage conservation. *This work was supported by the Haorum Alliance Center funded by the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP).

Speaker: Prof. Gunsu YUN (Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH))

16:10 → 17:10 Poster session A

16:10 Irradiation cavity of the GENeuSIS Neutron Assembly

GENeuSIS (General Experimental Neutron System Irradiation Station) is a modular, flexible, and transportable neutron irradiation assembly, made of layers of different materials. Its purpose is to reproduce target fusion neutron energy spectra within a dedicated test cavity. At the moment, it is assembled at the Frascati Neutron Generator (FNG) and relies on the 14 MeV neutrons produced by it.
This work presents part of the experimental characterization of the GENeuSIS-II irradiation cavity employing different kind of detectors.

Speaker: Marta Damiano (tor vergata university)

16:10 Machine Learning-Assisted Structural Diagnostics of the DTT Vacuum Vessel Through Modal Reconstruction

Structural diagnostics plays a key role in ensuring the integrity, safety, and reliability of complex engineering systems. A major challenge in structural health monitoring is reconstructing the global structural response from a limited number of displacement or strain measurements acquired at accessible locations. This challenge is particularly critical in fusion devices, where harsh operating conditions and geometric constraints severely restrict sensor deployment.
This work presents a structural diagnostic framework for the Vacuum Vessel of the Divertor Tokamak Test (DTT) facility. The proposed methodology combines modal reconstruction with machine learning to estimate the complete displacement and strain fields from a sparse network of displacement and/or strain sensors. By exploiting a reduced modal representation and data-driven inference, the framework provides a virtual sensing capability, extending the available diagnostic information from the instrumented locations to the entire structure. Additional validation sensors may be used to verify the reconstructed response without participating in the reconstruction process.
The framework is designed to monitor the Vacuum Vessel during both normal operation and off-normal events, such as plasma disruptions. For each measurement set, the algorithm identifies the modal combination that best represents the structural response and reconstructs the corresponding full-field displacement and strain distributions, providing a synthetic diagnosis of the structural state, including inaccessible regions. The reconstructed response also supports sensitivity analyses to estimate the minimum detectable structural defect associated with measurable variations in the monitored quantities.
The proposed methodology offers an effective structural diagnostic tool for fusion applications, demonstrating the potential of integrating modal reconstruction and machine learning for full-field monitoring, structural integrity assessment, and future condition monitoring strategies in next-generation fusion reactors.

Speaker: Gabriele Liuzzo (Department of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business Organization (DEIM), University of Tuscia, Largo dell’ Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy)

G_Liuzzo.docx

16:10 Multi-Instrument Spectral Classification of Psychotropic Substances Using Machine Learning model

The growing availability of portable, field-deployable spectrometers has expanded the range of applications in spectral analysis, but it also presents a significant challenge: measurements of the same sample obtained from instruments with different spectral windows and resolutions are often not directly comparable, limiting the ability to build robust and generalizable classification models. These issues are particularly critical in forensic analysis, such as the detection of psychotropic substances, which is the focus of the European research project NARCOSIS. In this framework, using the available literature data, we present a machine learning-based classification tool, aimed at supporting forensic operators in the identification of psychotropic substances from IR absorption spectra acquired. To address inter-instrument variability arising from differences in spectral range and resolution among heterogeneous spectrometers, spectra are pre-processed through linear interpolation onto a common wavelength grid prior to classification. This alignment step enables a single fully connected neural network classifier to be trained and evaluated on spectra originating from different source instruments, without requiring instrument-specific models. The proposed approach represents a scalable and practical solution for multi-instrument IR spectral analysis in forensic contexts, with promising potential for deployment within the NARCOSIS platform for real-world drug detection scenarios.

Project NARCOSIS has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme (Civil Security for Society) under grant agreement No 101168195.

Speaker: Alessandro Puleio (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

20260626-AbstractICFDT8-2026-AligneationAndClassification.docx

16:10 Optimized AI analysis of vibration data for damage assessment of structures

The use of Artificial intelligence (AI) has been recently applied for improving structural design and rehabilitation strategies, as well as structural monitoring of concrete buildings. In particular, Convolutional Variational Autoencoders (CVAEs) are advanced Machine Learning (ML) models used in AI applications that can be very effective in the analysis of vibration data to assess the damage conditions in concrete structures after earthquakes. The CVAE-based procedure is trained with the response of the undamaged structure and accuracy in the reconstruction of the ambient vibration response of the damaged structure was measured by the Mean Squared Error (MSE) and the Original to Reconstructed Signal Ratio (ORSR). The performance of CVAEs can be improved by optimizing two key parameters: the size of the latent space and the time sequence length of the processed data. This study investigated the optimal value for these two parameters when using a CVAE-based process to analyse white-noise vibration data from shaking table tests of a concrete frame specimen. The goal of this optimization methodology was to find a balance that maximizes the model’s ability to reconstruct the original input data, which is crucial for effective classification tasks of damage. The experimental results showed that the optimal values for both the latent space and the time sequence length can be found by Pareto method or by finding the maximum point of a bell-shaped surface generated to maximize the linear regression with a consolidated damage index based on the decay of the modal frequencies. This optimization process was successfully applied to vibration data from shaking table tests on a reinforced concrete building specimen, yielding significant results.

Speaker: Ivan Roselli (ENEA)

16:10 Simulation study of a compact D-T neutron spectrometer based on a single-crystal CVD diamond stack using Geant4

In a future D-T fusion reactor, neutron diagnostic will be one of the key diagnostics because the neutron has information for the birth profile of alpha particles, fuel ion density ratio, and fuel ion temperature if the plasma is Maxwellian. Diamond detectors are very promising candidates for neutron diagnostics in the harsh radiation environment of a fusion reactor because of their high radiation tolerance and compactness. The neutron diagnostic based on a natural diamond was developed and has been used since the 1990s for 14 MeV D-T neutron measurements in large tokamaks, such as TFTR [1], JET [2], and JT-60U [3]. With the development of diamonds produced by chemical vapor deposition, high-quality artificial diamond detectors become available at relatively low cost.
Recently, a novel compact D-T neutron spectrometer based on a single-crystal chemical vapor deposition (sc-CVD) diamond stack (B14 diamond telescope detector, CIVIDEC Instrumentation GmbH) was developed for fusion plasma diagnostic. The detector consists of one thin and two thick sc-CVD diamond sensors. A neutron to proton converter was installed in front of the detector. This neutron spectrometer was designed for the detection of 3 MeV to 17 MeV neutrons. The neutron energy spectrum can be obtained by the energy of the recoiled protons deposited in the diamond sensors using coincidence analysis. The initial measurement of the D-T neutron with this compact neutron spectrometer were performed using the accelerator-based neutron sources OKTAVIAN at Osaka University [4]. For investigating the effects of neutron to proton converter thickness and distance between the converter and the diamond sensors on energy resolution and detection efficiency of the compact D-T neutron spectrometer, a simulation study was performed using Geant4. The results of the simulation study in this novel compact D-T neutron spectrometer based on a sc-CVD diamond stack will be presented.

[1] A. V. Krasilnikov et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 68, 553-556 (1997).
[2] A. V. Krasilnikov et al., Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A 476, 500-505 (2002).
[3] M. Isobe et al., Fusion Eng. Des. 34-35, 573-576 (1997).
[4] L. Y. Liao et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 95, 073533 (2024).

Speaker: Longyong Liao (NIFS)

L_Y_Liao.docx

16:20 A multi-window neural-network model for line-profile-based temperature estimation in low-temperature plasma optical emission diagnostics

Optical emission spectroscopy is widely used for plasma diagnostics, but profile-based temperature estimation remains sensitive to line selection, instrumental broadening [1], noise, baseline distortions and overlapping spectral features. In this work, a multi-window artificial neural-network architecture is developed for spectrum-level temperature estimation from emission spectra of high-frequency electrodeless discharge lamps (HFEDL). The target temperature is defined as a gas-temperature-related line-profile parameter associated with the Doppler broadening of emission lines.
The model was trained, validated and tested on a controlled synthetic dataset with known ground-truth temperature values. Its performance was evaluated using MAE, RMSE, R², exact temperature-class accuracy and neighboring-class accuracy. The proposed multi-window approach was compared with single-window CNN, full-spectrum resampled CNN and feature-based Random Forest/Extra Trees baselines. The attention-based variant also provides information on the relative contribution of individual spectral windows, supporting model interpretability in line with recent developments in machine-learning-assisted optical emission diagnostics [2].
The developed software prototype integrates spectral-window extraction, neural-network training, validation, testing, inference and visualization. The results demonstrate the feasibility of a TRL4-level AI-supported diagnostic model for line-profile-based temperature estimation under controlled laboratory conditions, providing a basis for further comparison with classical profile-fitting methods and experimental HFEDL spectra.

The work was supported by 1.1.1.9 Research application No 1.1.1.9/LZP/1/24/023 of the Activity “Post-doctoral Research” “Developing an artificial neural network model to analyze emission spectra of high-frequency electrodeless lamps.”

[1] Zorina N. (2010). Deconvolution of the spectral line profiles for the plasma temperature estimation, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 623, 763–765
[2] Kajita S. et al.,(2023) Application of machine learning for optical emission spectroscopy data in NAGDIS-II, Fusion Engineering and Design, 196,114012.

Speaker: Natalja Zorina (Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Latvia)

ICFDT8_Zorina.pdf

16:20 A Neural Network Approach for DTT Plasma Profile Reconstruction validated on data-driven TCV kinetic surrogates

To surrogate the kinetic states, ne and Te of tokamak plasma, we present a Fully Connected Neural Network (FCNN), benchmarked against synthetic-tokamak database. A novel numerical database generation methodology is being proposed. To generate the dataset, we parameterized the nonlinear source terms of Grad Schafranov equation using a basis set of 12 distinct and experimental magnetic equilibrium reconstructions and then performed random sampling of these profiles to generate an extensive, diverse set of nonlinear equilibrium solutions. A synthetic framework, ‘Tokalab’, is employed for further augmentation of free boundary (in our case) Grad-Shafranov solutions to derive the kinetic states ne and Te. and subsequently simulates forward model of synthetic laser-assisted diagnostics. The data-driven surrogate aims to map two-dimensional fields of kinetic states ne and Te from laser-based diagnostics, namely interferometer and Thomson scattering (TS), across the poloidal cross-section of the plasma, together with magnetic equilibrium, ψ information. The reconstruction fidelity has been validated on physical diagnostics through regression metric, R2 and relative error across multiple dynamic phases of various offline TCV discharges, included in data generation phase and as extrapolated cases. Statistical distribution analysis across five offline discharges reveal prediction error of surrogate reconstructions of ne and Te remains centered around Mean Relative Squared Error MSEr, 0.05 with respect to physical TS diagnostic. Whereas there is wide coverage of error distribution in case of interferometers. The associated uncertainty in the interferometric density reconstruction when compared with RAPDENS synthetic interferometer’s relative uncertainty to reconstruct the experimental diagnostic revealed the overall comparative performance of our surrogate model to be least bound to uncertainties, except Low Field Side (LFS) chords. Presented data-generation methodology and surrogate modelling, trained on free-boundary GS solutions may enable post-discharge diagnostic data analysis to isolate the forward modelling errors from physical diagnostics anomalies in context of a fast machine learning observers to constrain the kinetic states of the future born tokamak, DTT, in free boundary scenarios and also given that once the specific target discharge boundaries are known.

Speaker: Ms Tayyaba Sajid (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, Italy)

Abstract_ICFDT8.pdf

16:20 Cross-border radiological emergency planning: ARIES software simulation and GIS mapping of projected dose for an accident scenario at the Krško nuclear power plant

This work falls within the framework of radiological emergency planning for accidents at nuclear reactors located beyond the Italian national border, with specific reference to the scenario of a severe accident at the Krško PWR nuclear power plant in Slovenia, the nearest nuclear facility to the Italian border. The geographical proximity of the plant to Italian territory makes it necessary to use forecasting tools capable of promptly supporting decisions regarding population protection measures, such as sheltering, relocation, evacuation, and the administration of stable iodine, whose reference levels are defined by the Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers (DPCM) of 29 April 2022.
To this end, the boundary conditions of the accident scenario were defined, namely the duration of the release, the amount of radioactive material emitted, and the main radioactive elements released into the environment. Based on these boundary parameters, atmospheric dispersion simulations were carried out using the ARIES lagrangian particle dispersion software, in use at the Italian National Inspectorate for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ISIN), calculating the integrated concentration of the elements in air and on the ground over a grid of points covering the map of Europe. By applying concentration-to-dose conversion coefficients from the handbook for dosimetric measurements and environmental assessments, the projected dose integrated over 2 and 7 days was calculated, defined as the sum of three contributions: inhalation dose (committed dose), external cloudshine dose from contaminated air, and external groundshine dose from contaminated ground.
The ARIES output data were subsequently mapped in a QGIS environment to generate contamination and dose maps of the territory, in order to identify critical points where the estimated levels exceed the reference thresholds established by the DPCM. The proposed approach thus provides a tool to support off-site emergency planning, functional to the timely and spatially targeted adoption of countermeasures for the health protection of the population.

Speaker: Dr Federico Mancinelli (1. Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italy) 2. International Master Courses in Protection against CBRNe events, University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italy))

abstract icfdt8 - Copia.docx

16:20 Cryogenic response of Distributed Optical Fiber Sensor coatings under cyclic thermal shocks

The development of Distributed Optical Fiber Sensors (DOFS) for cryogenic environments is crucial for accurate measurements under extreme thermal conditions, such as those found in fusion power plants. Such as High-Temperature-Superconductors (HTS), these are considered enabling technology for the future high magnetic field and compact nuclear fusion reactors. The possibility to use FOS technology as diagnostic for HTS attracts the interest of the scientific community. However, the sensor response is linked to the thermo-mechanical behavior of their external coatings.

This preliminary study examines the sensor response changes as a function of coating type by subjecting- for several times- different coated-optical fibers in liquid nitrogen (LN2). Monitoring was performed using the ODISI interrogation system (Luna Technologies); concurrently, a pre- and post-cycle morphological investigations were done, in order to detect potential structural alterations or surface defects. The results show coating-specific behaviors under thermal excursions. The morphological analysis shows no structural compromise or damage. Other tests are required to define the operational limits and long-term stability of these coated-fibers in cryogenic applications.

Speaker: Emilia Di Micco

Caponero_E_ICFDT8 v2.pdf

16:20 DAIMoND: Development of an AI-Monitored Neutron Diagnostic

The fuel ion ratio is an essential parameter to be measured in magnetic fusion devices featuring deuterium-tritium operation. One way of obtaining it is to compare the competing 14.06 MeV deuterium-tritium (DT) and the 2.45 MeV deuterium-deuterium (DD) neutron fluxes by measuring them using a detector with spectroscopic capability. Diamond detectors (which are already scheduled to be installed on ITER as part of the HRNS diagnostic) could fulfill this role. Previous experiences on JET demonstrated that the interpretation of measurements through analytic means alone is challenging for plasmas with more than 5% tritium.
The talk will present the work performed with a machine learning algorithm, proving that its employment can expand the fuel ion ratio assessment with diamond detectors above the 5% tritium limit. The machine learning algorithm was trained and evaluated on Geant4 synthetic data over the entire 0%-50% tritium fraction. Results are shown and are compared to the ITER requirements in terms of accuracy and time resolution, assuming either a well-known or an entirely unknown fusion power. Other considerations regarding model selection, explainable AI (XAI) methods, dependance on the sample size, and scattered spectral components are also presented.
In general, the work serves as proof-of-concept for the method, demonstrating the potential results achievable by combining neutron spectrometry with diamond detectors and AI.

Speaker: Matteo Hakeem Kushoro (Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca)

abstract ICFDT.pdf

16:20 FBG Based Structural Health Monitoring for the Conservation of the Ponari Nymphaeum

Ponari Nymphaeum, located in the archaeological area of ancient Casinum at the foot of Montecassino (Italy), is one of the best-preserved examples of a Roman coenatio aestiva, a summer dining and leisure space dating to the 1st century BC. Although previous investigations indicated that the monument has reached a relatively stable equilibrium, it remains affected by geotechnical risks associated with slope instability, debris accumulation, and inadequate drainage. These conditions generate lateral earth pressures that contribute to the development of extensive cracking within the masonry. To assess the long-term structural response of the monument, ENEA implemented a permanent Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system based on Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) optical sensors [1]. This study presents the results of the latest monitoring campaign conducted between December 2025 and February 2026.
A key advantage of FBG technology is the ability to multiplex several sensors along a single optical fiber, enabling simultaneous observation of multiple critical locations while minimizing cabling and reducing the impact on the archaeological site.
Variations in Bragg wavelength were compared with meteorological data from the nearby Cassino weather station. Despite differences between the two locations, sensor responses showed a clear correlation with daily temperature fluctuations.
To distinguish thermal effects from structural behavior, differential analyses between temperature and strain were performed on the sensor signals. The differential result displayed significant amplitude and temporal variability, indicating the presence of a mechanical component. This result suggests that the monitored cracks exhibit different kinematic responses, reflecting localized variations in stress distribution and masonry behavior.
This recent experimental campaign confirmed the high sensitivity of FBG sensors for detecting small deformations in historic masonry. Overall, the results demonstrate the effectiveness of fiber-optic monitoring systems for the long-term assessment of archaeological structures. Although the limited number of fully operational sensors prevented complete thermo-mechanical compensation, the acquired data successfully captured both environmental influences and structural responses. The observed differential behavior between adjacent cracks indicates that localized deformation mechanisms are still active within the monument, highlighting the importance of continuous monitoring.
Future work will include the installation of a new generation of FBG sensors with dedicated thermal compensation and an on-site meteorological station synchronized with the optical acquisition system. These improvements will provide a more accurate interpretation of environmental and structural interactions, supporting preventive conservation strategies and enhancing the understanding of slope-related instability affecting the Ponari Nymphaeum.

[1] M.A. Caponero et al. “Structural health monitoring of the Ninfeo Ponari by combined use of fibre optic sensors, photogrammetry and laser scanning”. 2019 IMEKO TC-4 International Conference on Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage. Florence, Italy, December 4-6, 2019

Speaker: Cristina Mazzotta (ENEA)

C Mazzotta ICFDT8.pdf

16:20 Fiber Optic Sensor Networks for Continuous Structural Monitoring of Water Pipeline Bridges: Data Analysis and Scalability

The management of the integrated water cycle relies on a complex network of installations (dams, reservoirs, pipelines, and treatment plants) that depends heavily on energy grids. Since these assets are highly vulnerable to both natural and anthropogenic hazards, implementing advanced, systemic monitoring strategies is essential to ensure their security and resilience.
Within this framework, the SCIRES project (Space-based Services to support resilient and sustainable Critical Infrastructure – Demonstration Project [1]) led by Planetek Italia alongside ENEA and INGV under the EISAC initiative, provides cutting-edge Earth Observation (EO) services.
SCIRES’s goal is to boost infrastructure resilience through three synergistic operational modules. Beside other activities, ENEA is involved in the Pipeline Monitoring Service, which detects early signs of leaks and structural issues in pipelines by combining satellite radar data (EO), IoT sensors, and AI algorithms.
ENEA HIFOS (Holographic Interferometry and Fiber Optic Sensors) laboratory implemented an IoT sensor network equipped with 32 Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors, arranged in 4 fiber optic chains (lines) on the Magliana (Rome, Italy) pipe-bridge over the Tiber river, ensuring comprehensive continuous coverage of critical structural areas. Data were post processed using specialized software to make them accessible and usable for structural engineers. The analysis demonstrated how the FBG technology responds to dynamic stimuli applied to the bridge when vehicles pass over it or the hydraulic pumps are operational.
The results are highly promising and pave the way for extending this technology to different bridges hosting oil pipelines, railways, motorways, essentially, anywhere continuous monitoring of structural parameters is critical to guaranteeing operational safety and service continuity. Furthermore, the integration of Deep Learning algorithms can easily detect of infinitesimal structural damage years before a crack becomes visible; thereby enabling fully automated predictive maintenance.

Speaker: Davide Vicca (ENEA)

D_Vicca.docx

16:50 → 17:20 coffe break

17:00 → 17:50 Short Orals

17:00 The Motion Magnification for large historical and modern structures

The Motion Magnification has recently been introduced for the characterization of motions present in common digital videos, gaining significant theoretical and practical interest. This application is made feasible and cost-effective by the confinement of the dynamic response to the low frequencies, which allows for the use of low-cost cameras and simplified processing of the acquired data. In this work, we present case studies collected over the last ten years, primarily concerning cultural heritage and infrastructural works, highlighting the advantages and associated challenges. We also present the substantial peculiarities of the analysis of cultural heritage assets, compared to the monitoring of civil structures, are the extreme fragility, which necessitates further restrictions on video surveying methodologies, the camera vibrations, the larger pixel-per-meter ratio, the unavoidable environmental disturbances, the changing lighting conditions a high signal-to-noise ratio.

Speaker: Dr VINCENZO FIORITI (ENEA TERIN-ICER-ICS)

17:10 Soft X-rays detection for plasma temperature measurement at the ABC laser facility

The interaction of a high-intensity laser with matter generates plasma. The subsequent laser-plasma interaction is responsible for the emission of radiation spanning from radiofrequencies up to gamma-rays. The X-rays emitted by the plasma are mainly related to the electrons. Under some assumptions, it is possible to consider a Maxwellian velocity distribution for these electrons, and the continuum X-ray emission can be described as a thermal bremsstrahlung and recombination spectrum, which is strictly related to the plasma electron temperature. Laser-generated plasmas can reach electron densities of ~ $10^{23} \ \text{cm}^{-3}$ and temperatures of several hundreds of electronvolts; consequently, a major component of the emitted electromagnetic spectrum lies in the soft X-ray region of 0.15 – 2 keV [1].
X-ray emission plays a fundamental role in indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion, where it is used to uniformly compress the fuel capsule and achieve ignition [2]. Moreover, laser-induced plasmas represent a source of soft X-rays with characteristics unmatched by conventional sources, enabling applications in high-resolution imaging, radiobiology, and micromachining [3]. Its analysis can of course give important information about the laser-produced plasma they are coming from. Therefore, the characterization of this emission is of great importance for both plasma diagnostics and a wide range of applications.
In this work, we present the soft X-ray diagnostic system developed at the ABC laser facility at the ENEA Research Centre in Frascati. The setup consists of an array of eight Ge(Li) PIN diodes equipped with filters of different materials and thickness, allowing measurements of the X-ray emission spectrum produced during laser-matter interaction experiments. By exploiting the different spectral responses of each detector with its filter, plasma electron temperature can be inferred from the ratios of the signals measured by diode pairs [4]. The theoretical framework underlying the temperature reconstruction method is discussed, together with the optimization of the filter configuration and the evaluation of the associated measurement uncertainties. A dedicated analysis procedure has been developed to combine information from multiple detector channels and obtain a robust estimate of the plasma temperature and its error.
Experimental results obtained during campaigns at the ABC facility on aluminum and two-photon polymerized foam targets are presented. The information regarding soft X-ray emission from the filtered-diode array are compared with independent measurements performed using a transmission diffraction grating [5], showing good agreement and validating the diagnostic approach. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the system as a compact and reliable tool for soft X-ray detection and plasma temperature characterization in laser-plasma experiments.

References
[1] P. Gorenstein and W. H. Tucker, Annu. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. 14, 373 (1976).
[2] J. Lindl, Phys. Plasmas 2, 3933 (1995).
[3] I. C. E. Turcu and J. B. Dance, X-rays from Laser Plasmas: Generation and Applications (John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 1999).
[4] N. G. Basov, Heating and Compression of Thermonuclear Targets by Laser Beam (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1986).
[5] M. Salvadori et al., J. Instrum. 14, C03007 (2019).

Acknowledgements
Activities partially funded through the ReMade@ARI project by the European Union as part of the Horizon Europe call HORIZON-INFRA-2021-SERV-01 under grant agreement number 101058414 and co-funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee (grant number 10039728) and by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) under contract number 22.00187. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council or the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). Neither the European Union nor the granting authorities can be held responsible for them.

Speaker: Leonardo Manzoni (Sapienza, Università di Roma)

L_Manzoni.docx

17:20 Electro-optical probing for electromagnetic pulses measurements in laser-matter interaction

When a high-intensity laser interacts with matter, it generates strong electromagnetic pulses (EMPs). These EMPs propagate into the surrounding space from the interaction point and can reach peak electric-field amplitudes in the order of MV/m over a broad frequency range, from MHz to THz, even at large distances from the source. These radiations can be harmful to surrounding diagnostics/devices and compromise the measurements of many detectors. Investigating these electromagnetic pulses has therefore become a major concern for the laser–plasma scientific community over the past several years. EMPs can also be useful in many different field of applications such as defense, medicine or aerospace.
Dedicated conductive antennas, such as the D-DOT antenna, have been widely used to measure EMPs in laser-plasma experiments. However, these antennas can interact with the emitted particles and ionizing radiation, compromising their functioning. Moreover, they provide the time derivative of the electric field, making the retrieval of the actual amplitude of the electric field non-trivial. EMP detection using conductive probes remains challenging under the harsh conditions of laser–matter interaction [1,2]. An alternative consists of probes based on the electro-optical effect [3], which directly measure one component of the electric field vector and are much less sensitive to spurious radiation thanks to their nonconductive materials. These probes are often protected by a sheath made of an optically absorbent plastic, known to provide effective shielding [4]. In general, electro-optical probes have a complex setup, including the probe itself with a fiber connected to an optoelectronic converter, that need to be correctly calibrated and shielded.
In this study, we present the calibration, characterization, and optimization of an electro-optical probe for EMP measurements in laser–matter interaction experiments. Several experimental investigations were carried out to assess the probe performance under representative operating conditions. In particular, the Ertalon sheath was characterized through measurements of its electromagnetic properties over a broad frequency range, while the probe response was investigated in the vicinity of dielectric materials to evaluate their influence on the measurements. These experimental results were systematically compared with 2D electrostatic simulations to improve the understanding of the probe response and validate the observed behaviourFinally, we present results obtained with the probe at PALS (Prague Asterix Laser System, capable of delivering 600 J pulses in 350 ps) and compare them with measurements performed using conductive probes placed at different locations, providing a characterization of the emitted EMPs in both the time and frequency domains.

References
[1] F. Consoli, et al, “EMP characterization at PALS on solid target experiments”, Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 60 (2018) 105006N. Surname (year) Book (ed.). Place, Publisher.
[2] F. Consoli, et al, “Laser produced electromagnetic pulses: generation, detection and mitigation”, High Power Laser Science and Engineering, 8, e22 (2020)
[3] F. Consoli, et al, “Time-resolved absolute measurements by electro-optic effect of giant electromagnetic pulses due to laser-plasma interaction in nanosecond regime”, Scientific Reports 6, 27889 (2016)
[4] Consoli, F., et al. "Sensitivity improvement by optically-absorbent plastics of electro-optical probes for high-intensity electromagnetic-fields generated by laser-matter interaction." Journal of Instrumentation 14.03 (2019): C03001-C03001.

Acknowledgements
This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium, funded by the European Union via the Euratom Research and Training Programme (Grant Agreement No 101052200 — EUROfusion). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.

Speaker: Benoist Grau (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

Abstract_ICFDT8_BenoistGRAU (1).pdf

17:30 Digital Pulse-Processing Electronics for Fusion Diagnostics: Performance and Perspectives across Neutron and Plasma Detectors

Diamond detectors are increasingly adopted for fast-neutron measurements owing to their
excellent timing, radiation hardness, and low noise. In a campaign at the ISIS spallation source, a
single-crystal diamond detector was coupled to a fully digital acquisition chain based on a CAEN
DT5751 digitizer (10-bit, 1 GS/s), recording waveforms synchronized to the accelerator trigger for
time-of-flight (ToF) analysis [1].
Combining ToF and pulse-integral information, the biparametric ToF–energy spectra resolved
the distinct neutron interaction channels on carbon and the dual-bunch time structure of the beam,
while discriminating prompt γ-ray flashes — all without analog shaping or external timing modules.
A compact, fully digital front-end can thus characterize fast-neutron beams with high accuracy.
This approach is enabled by the CAEN Digitizer 2.0 platform, whose open FPGA architecture
runs real-time digital pulse-processing algorithms (timing, charge integration, pulse-shape
discrimination) on board, with high channel density and on-board waveform memory. The family
spans the x2740/x2745 (64-channel, 16-bit, 125 MS/s), the x2730 (32-channel, 14-bit, 500 MS/s),
and the x2751 (16-channel, 14-bit, 1 GS/s), from high-density acquisition to the nanosecond
sampling required for ToF.
The same platform already underpins plasma diagnostics in fusion devices. In the Materials
Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX), a linear plasma–material interaction device, the VX2745B
handles high-density multichannel acquisition [2]. In the VEST spherical tokamak, the V2740
digitizes the soft X-ray (SXR) diagnostic — two 20-channel AXUV photodiode arrays — whose
signals reconstruct the magnetic-island structure and m-mode numbers of resistive MHD
instabilities [3], with waveform processing tailored to the detector as for the diamond data.
A single digital front-end thus serves both neutron and plasma fusion diagnostics, enabled by
the flexibility of the platform and by the ability to run timing and energy analysis directly on the
FPGA.
[1] M. Rebai, L. Giacomelli, C. Andreani et al. (2012) Diamond detectors for fast neutron measurements at
pulsed spallation sources. JINST, 7, C05015.
[2] J. Rapp, C. Lau, T.M. Biewer et al. (2023) Physical and technical basis of the Materials Plasma Exposure
eXperiment from modeling and Proto-MPEX results. Nucl. Fusion, 63. doi:10.1088/1741-4326/acc2d1.
[3] S. Lim (2024) Development of Soft X-ray Diagnostic System for MHD Instability Measurement in
VEST. Ph.D. thesis, Seoul National University (Q-BEAM Solution).

Speaker: Matteo Bianchini (CAEN S.p.A.)

M_Bianchini.docx

17:40 Prototype of a remote LIBS system for the chemical characterization of tungsten-based PFCs

New nuclear fusion devices under construction, such as ITER, and under design, such as DEMO, are foreseen to have long intervals between shutdowns, to increase the machine's duty cycle.
However, it will be necessary to periodically monitor the machine's plasma-facing components (PFCs) getting information on the areas of erosion, redeposition and mixing of the eroded materials with the unburned fusion fuel. Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) can accomplish this task as it can chemically characterize PFCs without any preliminary manipulation, in real time and in situ, by operating outside the vacuum vessel without breaking the vacuum.
In this paper we present a prototype of a remote LIBS setup, which focuses the laser at a distance of 4.4 m from the tungsten target and collects the signal of the LIBS plasma from a distance of about 6.6 m. The results obtained on tungsten targets allowed us to clearly reveal the spectral emissions of tungsten and environmental hydrogen, considered here as a proxy for the unburned D-T fuel, with a good S/N ratio even at a single laser shot.

Speaker: Salvatore Almaviva (FSN-TECFIS_DIM)

S_Almaviva.docx

Tuesday 20 October

09:00 → 09:40 Fusion machines (including subtopics on: measurements of temperature and density; DTT and East tokamaks)

09:00 Closing the Loop: Why Fusion Power Demands a New Diagnostic Blueprint

Following more than five decades of development, nuclear fusion has reached a point where it transits from pure physics experiments towards fusion power plant demonstrators (FPPs) using an engineering approach and preparing for commercial deployment. However, operating a commercial facility requires a radical departure from historical approaches. In this new paradigm, diagnostic and measurement systems, that are typically key for control, operation and asset protection, need to be much more robust and adhere to industry standards.
They must provide the critical data required to maintain a steady-state burning plasma(for machines like tokamaks) or steady pulsed-mode operation(for pulsed concept machines), optimise fusion power output, and ensure robust asset protection by detecting off-normal behaviours early enough for real-time control systems to take actions.
A new strategy is required that considers the entire diagnostic and machine lifecycle from day one, balancing systemic diversity with fewer overall systems. To ensure reliability, control systems need redundancy through high diagnostic robustness or intelligent control capable of dynamically switching inputs, such as inferring missing data from alternative sensors if a primary one fails. Beyond control, diagnostics will retain a vital physics role, especially for first-of-a-kind machines like STEP, in exploring uncharted burning plasma territory where no experimental data yet exists.
Deploying these systems means confronting a harsh operational environment for a machine-like STEP has not been observed yet, and we only can quantify and estimate it using past(e.g. JET) or current devices(e.g. JT60-SA, ITER). Significant technology and materials gaps remain to be bridged. Consequently, diagnostics can no longer be bespoke laboratory instruments; they must become scalable (e.g. able to be volume manufactured adhering to tight quality standards), largely autonomous, integrated solutions for native real-time operation, align with remote handling protocols during commissioning or maintenance, and match the lifecycle constraints of other parts of the reactor where they sit. Ultimately, FPP diagnostics must deliver years of highly reliable, low-maintenance operation, engineered for remote maintenance from day one. This presentation will outline the essential pillars of this new diagnostic blueprint.
This work has been funded by STEP Fusion, a major technology and infrastructure programme led by UK Fusion Energy (UKFE), which aims to deliver the UK’s prototype fusion powerplant and a path to the commercial viability of fusion.

Speaker: Dr Alexandru Boboc (UKAEA)

ICFDT8 Oral Presentation -Abstract-Boboc V4.pdf

09:20 Bayesian inference for data integration and diagnostic optimization in fusion devices

Data integration involves the combination of data from multiple, possibly heterogeneous diagnostics, to enhance accuracy, resolution and robustness of inferred system conditions. When focusing on real-time aspects, the approach is sometimes referred to as “sensor fusion”, with common applications in domains like aerospace or autonomous driving. In the context of fusion devices, data integration can benefit physics studies in an off-line mode, or plasma control in a real-time setting. Bayesian inference has been used for many years as a framework for data integration in fusion science, with the additional benefit of incorporating uncertainty propagation into the analysis. In future reactors, data integration will only gain importance, as diagnostic measurements will be limited by spatial constraints and cost. In addition, Bayesian methods enable optimization of diagnostic design, by minimizing the projected uncertainty on quantities of interest. In this contribution, we present recent advances in data integration for various fusion diagnostics at the WEST tokamak, as well as diagnostic optimization, using Bayesian inference. We discuss magnetic diagnostics for solving the inverse problem of plasma equilibrium reconstruction, diagnostics for measuring plasma density and temperature, and spectroscopic diagnostics for studying the transport of (highly charged) impurities [1, 2]. We employ Gaussian processes as computationally efficient tools for modeling spatial correlations in local plasma quantities. We focus in particular on accelerating data integration methods, by exploring different techniques to probe the high-dimensional probability distributions characterizing the plasma state, by leveraging the opportunities for parallelization offered by GPUs, or by modeling the entire inference chain using a neural network surrogate model. We then illustrate the potential of Bayesian experimental design for optimizing diagnostic configurations, presenting an application to a key set of magnetic sensors at WEST [3]. In particular, we show that the number of magnetic sensors can be significantly reduced without compromising the accuracy of key inferred quantities.

References
[1] J. De Rycke et al., J. Instrum. 21, C04064, 2026
[2] H. Wu et al., Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 67, 085001, 2025
[3] Y. Zhang et al., Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 68, 065038, 2026

Speaker: Geert Verdoolaege (Ghent University)

Verdoolaege_abstract_ICFDT8_v1.pdf

09:40 → 10:40 Precision Measurement

09:40 Towards Four-Dimensional Particle Detection: Spatial and Temporal Precision with Gas Detectors and Emerging MPGD Technologies

The continuous evolution of high-energy physics experiments is driving detector technologies towards increasingly stringent requirements on the precision of both spatial and temporal measurements. The simultaneous determination of a particle trajectory and its time coordinate is becoming a key element for precision tracking, event reconstruction, fast triggering, particle identification, and time-of-flight applications. This evolution is leading towards a new generation of detectors capable of providing increasingly precise four-dimensional information, combining fine spatial granularity with advanced timing performance.

Gas detectors have played a central role in this progress, offering a remarkable combination of large-area coverage, excellent spatial resolution, fast response, radiation tolerance, and scalability. This review presents a comparative overview of the spatial and temporal measurement capabilities of modern gas-based detector technologies, spanning established solutions and emerging concepts. The discussion will highlight how different amplification mechanisms, detector geometries, readout architectures, and signal-processing strategies contribute to the overall space–time precision of a detector, with performance ranging from excellent spatial resolution to sub-nanosecond and, in selected configurations, tens-of-picoseconds timing resolution.

Particular emphasis will be placed on Micro-Pattern Gaseous Detectors (MPGDs), whose rapid development has opened new possibilities for combining fine spatial granularity, high-rate capability, radiation hardness, and increasingly precise timing. Recent advances in technologies such as GEMs, Micromegas, resistive MPGDs such as micro-RWELL, and hybrid detector concepts will be discussed in the context of their applications in current high-energy physics experiments, as well as their potential role in future facilities requiring unprecedented levels of spatial and temporal precision. This review will highlight how the continued evolution of gas detector technologies is opening new possibilities for precision instrumentation in the next generation of high-energy physics experiments.

Speakers: Gianfranco Morello, Marco Poli Lener (INFN _laboratori Nazionali di Frascati)

10:00 High-Precision Laser Ranging: From Lunar Reflectors to the GUEST Mission

Since 1969, the Apollo and Lunokhod missions have deployed Laser Retroreflector Arrays (LRAs), consisting of Cube Corner Retroreflectors (CCRs), on the lunar surface. These devices reflect incident laser light back toward their source, enabling high-precision distance measurements through the technique of Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR). In LLR experiments, short laser pulses are transmitted from Earth-based ground stations to the lunar LRAs, and the round-trip time of flight (ToF) of the reflected signal is measured to determine the Earth–Moon distance with remarkable accuracy. Together with Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), which applies the same principle to artificial satellites orbiting Earth, LLR represents one of the most precise techniques available for measuring distances within the Earth–Moon system, routinely achieving millimeter-level precision. These measurements have enabled stringent tests of General Relativity, improved our understanding of the Moon's internal structure, and refined the determination of the terrestrial reference frame. A recent example of SLR employed in fundamental physics missions is the proposed Gravitational Universe Exploration with Satellite Tracking (GUEST) mission, that aim to detect gravitational waves (GWs) in the microhertz band. The mission concept is based on two dense, passive spheres covered with cube-corner retroreflectors, deployed in highly eccentric Earth orbits, tracked continuously by the global network of SLR stations over a minimal time of 10 years. The orbits themselves act as resonant detectors of the oscillating gravitational perturbations, with the microhertz sensitivity emerging from the selected orbital parameters.

Speaker: Nicolò Burzillà (INFN LNF)

10:20 Advanced diagnostic techniques for a 4 ppm measurement of the antihydrogen Ground-State Hyperfine Splitting in the ALPHA experiment at CERN

The ALPHA Collaboration recently determined the antihydrogen ground-state hyperfine splitting to a relative precision of 4 ppm, an improvement of two orders of magnitude.
Achieving this leap required advanced in situ diagnostic and magnetic field characterization methodologies to mitigate the extreme sensitivities of driving resonant microwave transitions within a deep magnetic minimum trap. The talk will focus on the critical in situ diagnostic strategies and real-time magnetic field characterization techniques developed to track environmental drifts and map the trap's landscape.

Speaker: Germano Bonomi (University of Brescia and INFN Pavia)

10:40 → 11:10 Coffee Break

11:10 → 11:50 Precision Measurement

11:10 From Conventional to Cutting-Edge: A Journey Through Free-Electron Lasers and the Plasma Frontier

Free-electron lasers (FELs) probe matter at the sub-atomic scale through coherent pulses with sub-ångström wavelengths and sub-femtosecond durations, but the high-energy beams driving them have traditionally required large radio-frequency accelerators with a sizeable footprint. Plasma-based acceleration, with gradients up to three orders of magnitude higher, opens the way to far more compact machines, and recent years have seen the first FEL signals from both laser-driven wakefield accelerators and beam-driven schemes. Using the SPARC_LAB test facility at INFN-LNF Frascati as a guiding thread, this talk retraces the journey from conventional to plasma-driven FELs, centred on two milestones achieved there: the first FEL lasing driven by a compact, few-centimetre beam-driven plasma accelerator, and its subsequent stable operation in a seeded configuration. Looking ahead, I will present EuPRAXIA@SPARC_LAB, the compact plasma-driven FEL user facility now under construction at LNF.

Speaker: Alessio Del Dotto (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

11:30 Diagnostic technologies in high-sensitivity experiments to detect ultra-rare events

Ultra-rare event searches in astroparticle physics require detectors capable of combining extreme sensitivity with long-term stability, background control, and precise calibration.

This presentation will focus on international experiments, including direct dark-matter searches, neutrinoless double-beta decay studies, neutrino telescopes, cosmic-ray and gamma-ray observatories, and gravitational-wave detectors.

It will highlight how advanced diagnostic technologies are becoming a key enabling factor for the next generation of ultra-rare event searches.

Speaker: Giovanni Mazzitelli (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

11:50 → 12:50 Fusion machines (including subtopics on: measurements of temperature and density; DTT and East tokamaks)

11:50 Overview of the DTT diagnostic systems

With the recent publication of the Divertor Tokamak Test (DTT) Research Plan [1], the DTT diagnostic set was updated to support the project objectives, closely following the evolution of the operational phases therein described. DTT is a fully superconducting, compact size (R = 2.19 m, a = 0.70 m) tokamak, currently under construction at the ENEA research center in Frascati, Italy. Thanks to its actively water-cooled W components and high external heating power, provided by a combination of ECRH, NBI and ICRH (up to P = 45 MW), DTT aims at reproducing divertor heat loads comparable to those expected in ITER and DEMO, with the goal of exploring innovative heat exhaust solutions in fusion-relevant conditions [2]. This presentation provides an overview of the DTT tokamak diagnostic set.
According to the planned sequence of DTT operational phases, the First Plasma will be shortly followed by an early experimental phase. Therefore, particular focus was put onto the definition of a full set of systems for machine protection, runaway detection and plasma control, along with diagnostics to probe early phase-scenarios (e.g. scenario “A” described in [3]). Following the upgrades of the external heating systems, DTT will be operated with progressively advanced scenarios, and its diagnostic capabilities evolve accordingly. The commissioning diagnostic set will be upgraded during so-called Phase-1, with additional systems to study transport physics and plasma-wall interactions, eventually reaching its full capabilities during Phase-2, when fast ion and neutronic studies will be performed following the installation of a 10 MW Neutral Beam. Particular focus was put onto the definition of a diagnostic set for detachment studies and control, adapting the systems’ design to the machine geometry and developing a flexible framework that allows for future upgrades.

[1] G. Giruzzi et al 2026 Nucl. Fusion 66 116017
[2] F. Romanelli et al., Nucl. Fusion 64, 112015 (2024).
[3] I. Casiraghi et al 2023 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 65 035017

Speaker: Filippo Bagnato (DTT S.c.a.r.l.)

Bagnato_ICFDT8.pdf

12:10 Progress on the DTT Interferometric and Polarimetric Diagnostics

Interferometric and polarimetric diagnostics [1] are widely used in plasma experiments, particularly in magnetically confined fusion devices, to determine the electron density and to provide key information on internal magnetic fields, respectively. These measurements play a
crucial role in the reconstruction of the plasma magnetic equilibrium and in the real-time estimation of the safety factor (q) profile, enabling plasma configuration control.
Interferometry and polarimetry are often combined [2] into integrated diagnostic systems to allow simultaneous measurements of electron density and magnetic field.

For the Divertor Tokamak Test facility (DTT) [3], a new tokamak currently under construction in Frascati, Italy, three systems are foreseen: a tangential dispersion interferometer, a poloidal interferometer/polarimeter, and a divertor interferometer. This work focuses mainly on two of these systems: the tangential dispersion interferometer and the poloidal interferometer/polarimeter. For both systems, the work carried out to date will be briefly
presented, and the latest advances in their design and modelling will be described.

References
[1] I. H. Hutchinson, Principle of plasma diagnostics, Cambridge University Press, 2002.
[2] S. E. Segre, A review of plasma polarimetry - theory and methods, Plasma Phys. Control.
Fusion 41 R57, 1999.
[3] R. Martone, R. Albanese, F. Crisanti, P. Martin, and A. Pizzuto, DTT-Divertor Tokamak
Test Facility, Interim Design Report (ENEA, 2019),
https://www.dttproject.enea.it/downloads/DTT_IDR_2019_WEB.pdf

Speaker: Dr Donatella Fiorucci (ENEA Research Center Frascati)

Abstract_ICFDT8_2026.pdf

12:30 Neutron and runaway electron diagnostics for first plasma DTT operation

The Divertor Tokamak Test (DTT) facility is equipped with a dedicated diagnostic suite to monitor neutron emission and runaway electron generation since the commissioning and early operational phases. The DD and DT neutron yield will be measured using fission chambers, BF₃ detectors, scintillation detectors, and single-crystal diamond detectors. In addition, time-integrated measurements of the neutron yield and energy spectrum will be performed using a neutron activation system. Runaway electrons will be monitored by the Runaway Electron Imaging and Spectroscopy (REIS) system, which measures the synchrotron radiation emitted by in-flight runaway electrons using cameras and spectrometers operating in the visible and infrared spectral ranges. Complementary measurements will be provided by BC-509 scintillators and an NE213 scintillator, which detect the hard X-rays generated by the interaction of runaway electrons with the tokamak structures.

This contribution provides an overview of the design of the DTT neutron and runaway electron diagnostic systems for first plasma operation, describes the calibration strategy adopted for the neutron monitors, and discusses the implementation status of the various diagnostics.

Speaker: Daniele Marocco

13:00 → 14:00 Lunch

14:00 → 16:00 AI in support of diagnostics

14:00 Deep Learning for data driven understanding and control of complex systems

Given the continuous progress in instrumentation and storage technologies, the analysts are increasingly faced with the challenge of analysing time series generated by complex systems, whose physics is poorly known at best. The understanding and control of such systems requires at least the determination of the system dimensionality and the assessment of the cause-effect relationships between the various signals. Deep autoencoders of various architecture and training procedure have been develop to perform all these tasks.
Firstly, they allow defining an operational concept of dimension, more susceptible of practical application than the traditional intrinsic or fractal dimensions. The devised autoencoders allow estimating such a type of dimensionality much more accurately than the most widely accepted techniques. In particular they remain effective in high dimensions and are much more robust against noise and outliers.
Secondly, a particular architecture, the so called Interaction AutoEncoders (IAEs), has been developed to determine the causal relationships between time series. Adopting the Granger causality framework, based on predictability, the devised IAEs can assess the mutual influence between two or more signals and are fully capable of detecting nonlinear interactions much more reliably than alternative approaches.
Finally, the trained autoencoders can be deployed to implement data driven feedback of nonlinear systems in a very effective and simple way.
The aforementioned potentials of the developed deep autoencoders are substantiated with a systematic battery of numerical tests based on complex systems in the chaotic regime of operation (Lorenz, Chua, Rössler, Henon, Duffin equations and more). Their properties are also exemplified by experimental applications to signals generated by tokamak plasmas including the recent DT campaigns on JET.

Speaker: Dr Andrea Murari (Consorzio RFX)

Murari abstract ICFDT8.pdf

14:20 The rise of the agents in Earth Observation

The rapid rise of Agentic AI is reshaping the way we interact with and extract knowledge from Earth Observation data. Beyond traditional AI pipelines, autonomous agents powered by foundation models and emerging world models are enabling more adaptive, context-aware, and interactive approaches to data analysis, scientific discovery, and operational decision-making. This keynote will explore the transformative potential of these technologies for the Earth Observation domain and present the ongoing activities of the ESA Phi-lab in advancing research and experimentation on Agentic AI, foundation models, and next-generation intelligent systems for space and Earth science applications.

Speaker: Salvatore Pinto (European Space Agency)

14:40 Optimising the layout of tomographic diagnostics with Genetic Programming

Radiation measurements are essential for the operation of next-generation tokamaks, as they provide key information on plasma conditions and support control strategies. Diagnostics such as bolometers, soft X-ray detectors, and scintillators are widely employed for this purpose. However, the design of an effective detection layout is strongly constrained by the limited access provided by tokamak ports, which directly impacts the accuracy of tomographic reconstructions. Additional constraints arise from the different accuracy requirements across regions of interest, such as the divertor and the X-point radiator. In this work, we present a methodology for optimizing acquisition geometries in tomographic diagnostics. The approach is based on maximum likelihood tomography, which enables both image reconstruction and uncertainty propagation. The optimization strategy aims to identify geometries that satisfy the accuracy requirements in any specific region, while minimizing overall uncertainty levels. The objective is to determine configurations that improve reconstruction fidelity and reduce sensitivity to measurement noise. The optimization is performed using a Genetic Algorithm, a machine learning approach inspired by evolutionary processes. This method is particularly well suited for problems with strong geometric constraints. Several algorithmic configurations are investigated, analysing the influence of key hyperparameters such as mutation rate and crossover rate on the resulting solutions. The final configuration is selected by balancing reconstruction accuracy and system complexity. The methodology is ultimately validated on a reactor-scale tokamak, demonstrating its capability to provide optimized solutions under different scenario constraints.

Speaker: Ivan Wyss (Università degli studi di Roma Tor Vergata)

Wyss abstract ICFDT8.pdf

15:00 Integrating magnetic and kinetic measurements in the equilibrium reconstruction of tokamaks with Physics Based Neural Networks

Integrated data analysis is essential for the full exploitation of diagnostic measurements. Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) present a compelling alternative to standard methods (e.g. the Bayesian statistics). As a novel branch of artificial intelligence, PINNs seamlessly integrate data-driven methodologies with physical equations, offering a highly efficient approach.
PINNs provide distinct advantages over traditional methods, including the ability of handling incomplete physics equations, managing noisy data, and operating independently of mesh constraints. This work focuses on evaluating the potential of a Physics-Informed Neural Network (PINN) algorithms to reconstruct plasma equilibrium using a multi-diagnostic approach incorporating magnetics, kinetic pressure, and interferometer-polarimeter data.
In tokamaks, equilibrium reconstruction is inherently an ill-posed problem. To achieve accurate results, it is essential to constrain algorithms with multiple diagnostic inputs. Consequently the PINN technology allows deriving a more accurate and complete overview of the plasma state in all phases of the discharges. Additionally, the redundancy provided by the multi-diagnostic approach enables simultaneous equilibrium reconstruction and "diagnostic of diagnostics" by readily identifying outliers or faulty measurements and effectively filtering out noise.
Results are presented for both synthetic data [1], [2] (using TokaLab, a virtual tokamak developed at the University of Rome "Tor Vergata" for education and research) and data from JET including experiments from the recent DT campaigns [3].

References
[1] N. Rutigliano et al., “Physics-informed neural networks for the modelling of interferometer-polarimetry in tokamak multi-diagnostic equilibrium reconstructions,” Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion, vol. 67, no. 6, p. 065029, Jun. 2025, doi: 10.1088/1361-6587/addde6.
[2] N. Rutigliano, A. Murari, P. Gaudio, M. Gelfusa, and R. Rossi, “Optimisation of Physics-Informed Neural Network Architecture and Training for Tokamak Equilibrium Reconstruction,” Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.1088/1361-6587/ae54c9.
[3] N. Rutigliano, A. Murari, P. Gaudio, M. Gelfusa, and R. Rossi, “Multi-diagnostics reconstruction of magnetic equilibrium and kinetic profiles using Physics-Informed Neural Networks with applications to JET,” Nuclear Fusion, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.1088/1741-4326/ae4916.

Speaker: Novella Rutigliano (Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata)

15:20 TokaLab: an open-access and open-source FAIR framework for tokamak synthetic diagnostics and inverse problems benchmarking

The development and validation of computational methods for tokamak diagnostics, particularly in the context of inverse problems and data-driven approaches, are often limited by the lack of standardized and reproducible benchmarking practices. In this work, we present an open access and open-source FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) framework, implemented within TokaLab, for the systematic benchmarking of synthetic diagnostics and inverse problem methodologies.
The framework provides a structured environment to define benchmark cases combining forward models, synthetic diagnostic generation, and associated inverse reconstruction tasks. Each benchmark is fully specified in terms of mathematical formulation, input datasets, and quantitative evaluation metrics, enabling rigorous validation, verification, and cross-comparison across heterogeneous computational tools.
Emphasis is placed on diagnostically relevant inverse problems, such as plasma tomography and equilibrium reconstruction, where the integration of physics-based models and machine learning techniques is rapidly evolving. The proposed framework enables consistent comparison between traditional and AI-based approaches under controlled and reproducible conditions.
By adhering to FAIR principles and promoting tool-agnostic interoperability, the framework aims to foster transparency, reproducibility, and collaboration within the fusion diagnostics community. This effort supports the development of more reliable and comparable computational methods, ultimately contributing to improved interpretation of experimental data.

Speaker: Riccardo Rossi (Università di Roma 2 Tor Vergata)

Rossi - ICFDT8.pdf

15:40 AI-ENHANCED I&C FOR HYBRID FISSION-FUSION REACTOR CONTROL

Hybrid fission-fusion reactors (HFR) impose I&C requirements spanning nine frequency decades (DC to THz), generating interference between neutron instrumentation, plasma diagnostics, and RF heating systems. This paper identifies the primary coupling mechanisms, proposes a three-tier galvanic isolation architecture with 8th-order Butterworth filtering targeting −60 dBc inter-band crosstalk (IEC 61000-6-2 / IEC 60709 / IEC 61513), and defines five multi-physics simulation scenarios for validation. An AI-enhanced advisory layer — comprising LSTM anomaly detectors, RL-tuned adaptive filters, and an LLM qualification assistant — is proposed as an offline complement to the deterministic safety chain, with explicit exclusion from all Class 1 safety functions.

Speaker: Mauro Cappelli (ENEA)

16:00 → 16:20 Coffee Break

16:00 → 17:00 Poster session B

16:00 Development and recent progress of advanced plasma diagnostics on Thailand Tokamak-1

Thailand Tokamak-1 (TT-1), a compact tokamak commissioned in 2023, has a major radius of 0.65 m and a minor radius of 0.20 m, and is designed to operate with plasma currents up to 100 kA and toroidal magnetic fields up to 1 T. As a compact fusion device, TT-1 provides a cost-effective platform for the development and validation of advanced plasma diagnostics, enabling experimental verification and diagnostic optimization while supporting plasma physics research. Several advanced diagnostic systems have been developed on TT-1 to support plasma physics studies and diagnostic innovation. Among these systems, a hard X-ray (HXR) diagnostic system, comprising two LaBr3(Ce) scintillation detectors [1], a plastic scintillator, and a GAGG(Ce)-SiPM detector, has been developed to investigate runaway electron phenomena. Preliminary measurements have revealed anisotropic HXR emissions, suggesting a directional distribution of high-energy electrons. Analysis of the measured HXR spectra enabled the reconstruction of the electron energy distribution, revealing the presence of high-energy electrons with energies of up to approximately 6.5 MeV [2]. Complementing the HXR measurements, an integrated soft X-ray (SXR) diagnostic system has been developed to investigate plasma radiation, electron temperature, impurity transport, and magnetohydrodynamic activity. The system consists of a Si-based spectrometer [3], an SXR imaging system, and horizontal and vertical fan-shaped SXR cameras for tomographic reconstruction of plasma emissivity profiles, providing complementary spectral, spatial, and temporal measurements of plasma behavior in TT-1. In addition to passive diagnostic measurements, electrode biasing experiment has been initiated to actively modify the edge radial electric field and improve plasma confinement. Furthermore, a heavy ion beam probe (HIBP) diagnostic is under development to enable direct measurements of plasma potential and fluctuation dynamics, providing valuable insights into plasma transport and electric field structures [4]. This work reports the recent progress in the development of advanced diagnostics on TT-1 and highlights their contributions to plasma physics research on TT-1. These developments continue to enhance TT-1 as a versatile platform for plasma fusion research.
Reference
[1] K. Rongpuit, et al., Radiation Physics and Chemistry 227, 112346, 2025.
[2] K. Rongpuit, et al., Radiation Physics and Chemistry 246, 113922, 2026.
[3] S. Buakham, et al., Fusion Engineering and Design 228, 115744, 2026.
[4] A. Wisitsorasak, et al., Fusion Engineering and Design 198, 114068, 2024.

Speaker: Siriyaporn Sangaroon (Mahasarakham University)

ICFDT8_abstract_Sangaroon_V2.pdf

16:01 Beyond Single-Model Langmuir Probe Analysis: Cross-Regime Diagnostics for RF, ECR and Fusion-Relevant Plasma Sources

Langmuir probes are widely used for local plasma diagnostics, but the extraction of reliable parameters from current–voltage characteristics strongly depends on the plasma regime and on the validity of the underlying sheath and electron-kinetic assumptions. This is particularly relevant for cylindrical probes operated in RF discharges, ECR ion sources and fusion-relevant plasma sources, where density, temperature, pressure, collisionality and plasma composition may vary over broad ranges.
A modular analysis framework is developed to compare complementary interpretations of single-probe I–V curves, combining ion-current scaling, sheath-corrected descriptions, floating-potential-based estimates, iterative density reconstruction and EEDF-derived quantities from the second derivative of the probe characteristic. The aim is not to select a single universal model, but to identify the range of mutual consistency of different diagnostic estimates when moving from thick- to thin-sheath conditions, or when the electron population departs from a single Maxwellian distribution.
Special attention is given to cases showing multiple slopes in the electron retardation region, which may indicate cold and hot electron populations or a more general non-Maxwellian EEDF. The same approach is suitable for electronegative plasmas, where negative ions can affect sheath properties and current balance. The method provides a practical cross-validation tool for probe measurements in plasma sources with changing operating conditions, highlighting inconsistencies related to sheath physics, electron kinetics or plasma composition.

Speaker: Giuseppe Castro (INFN-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud)

16:01 Maximum Likelihood SXR Tomography Inversion Framework for JT-60SA: Development and Initial Assessment Towards MHD Studies

Abstract:
During the OP1 campaign of the JT-60SA, two out of three classes of disruption were strongly associated with edge cooling events: radiative disruptions and control failure ones. The former is due to an unfavourable combination of the edge heating scheme and high gas pumping, while the latter is due to a temperature decrease at the edge during high-density discharges, leading to the growth of an n=1 mode[1]. Control failure disruptions align with the edge branch of disruptive behaviour observed at JET for 2/1 modes, where the cooling of the edge of the plasma leads to a shrinking of the current density profile, i.e to an increase of the current density gradient. This triggers the mode to grow rapidly and disruptively [2]. Soft X-rays (SXR) are a fast diagnostic that proved useful during the OP1 campaign also for analysing the 1D radiative signature of MHD modes [1]. This contribution therefore attempts to extend the analysis from radial phase information to phase conditioned 2D emissivity reconstruction, using a Maximum Likelihood algorithm that has previously been applied to bolometric JET and AUG data [3][4] and has also recently been used to support the design of the DTT bolometric diagnostic[5]. Such emissivity maps could, in principle, provide useful information on the spatial radiative structure at the core and/or the edge. As only two overlapping arrays of Be filtered AXUV Lines of Sights (LoS) were available on the same horizontal port during the OP1 campaign [6], a dedicated methodology has been considered to improve the reconstructions. Different phantoms associated with an expected rotating mode have been created to generate synthetic brightness profiles to be compared then with the measured ones, in order to select the best initial guess [7] for retrieving the 2D emissivity map. Successful tests using synthetic data have demonstrated the feasibility of reproducing asymmetric phantoms using the JT-60SA OP1 layout. However, when phase-conditioned measurements were used, no significant spatial differences could be retrieved in the 2D emissivity maps obtained from brightness profiles corresponding to opposite phases of the observed oscillations. While these results highlighted the limitations of applying the methodology to the single horizontal SXR array of lines of sight available during OP1, this study also provides a basis for further studies during the OP2 and OP3 campaigns once the upgraded diagnostic layout has been implemented.

References
[1] T. Yokoyama et al., Nucl. Fusion 64 (2024) 126031 (14pp)
[2] G. Pucella et al., Nucl. Fusion 61 (2021) 046020 (12pp)
[3] T. Craciunescu et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 89, 053504 (2018)
[4] T. Craciunescu er al., Phys. Scr. 98 125603 (2023)
[5] E. Peluso et al., Fusion Engineering and Design 215 (2025) 114947
[6] R. Sano et al, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 95, 073532 (2024)
[7] E. Peluso et al., Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion (2023 ) 65 075003

Acknowledgements
JT-60SA was jointly constructed and is jointly funded and exploited under the Broader Approach Agreement between Japan and EURATOM.
This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium, funded by the European Union via the Euratom Research and Training Programme (Grant Agreement No 101052200 — EUROfusion). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.
This work has been partially funded by the EUROfusion working package WPTE.

Speaker: Emmanuele Peluso (ENEA - Tor Vergata)

124810_peluso_abstract_icfdt8_rev.pdf

16:02 Implementation of innovative magnetic field sensors on DTT, COMPASS-U and DEMO/VNS tokamaks

Magnetic systems in future fusion reactors require reliable and sturdy diagnostic system with sensor units withstanding extreme operational conditions while providing precise signals required for advanced plasma control. This contribution mainly details the engineering design and integration of innovative steady state magnetic sensors for the DTT and partially covers magnetic sensors for COMPASS-U and DEMO/VNS.
This contribution is focused on the outer vessel magnetic sensors for DTT. Two radiation-hardened antimony-based Hall sensors will be used within a unified, space-efficient housing for each sensor module. It is strongly inspired by outer vessel steady state magnetic sensor for ITER and ongoing designs of combined sensors for COMPASS-U and DEMO/VNS.
We detail the engineering design of Antimony based Hall sensors that will fit into the current 3D model of the DTT facility. By validating sensors on near-term devices, this work establishes a proven hardware platform scalable to the harsh environments of future fusion reactors.

Speaker: Dominik Najman (IPP CAS)

D_Najman.docx

16:03 LIBRA: A New Free-Boundary MHD Equilibrium Code for the Analysis of PROTO-SPHERA Plasma Configurations

I attach the abstract as a PDF file.

Speakers: Daniele Iannarelli (Università la Sapienza di Roma), Francesco Napoli

Abstract_F_Napoli.pdf

16:04 Solution-Processed Perovskite Radiation Detectors for X-ray Diagnostics

Metal-halide perovskites are emerging as promising active materials for direct X-ray detection because they combine high-Z constituent elements, strong X-ray attenuation, high bulk resistivity and favorable charge transport. Reported mobility-lifetime (μτ) products can be competitive with conventional detector semiconductors, while low-temperature solution processing offers a route to scalable and cost-effective detector fabrication. These features make perovskites attractive for compact sensors for diagnostic imaging, scientific instrumentation and detector R&D.
This contribution presents ongoing work on hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite radiation detectors fabricated by microfluidic soft lithography and micropad-dewetting. These methods enable controlled crystallization of MAPbBr3 perovskite absorbers directly on patterned conductive glass substrates, providing a platform to study material quality, dark-current behavior, charge transport and radiation-induced photocurrent. In parallel, perovskite layers are grown on silicon substrates to investigate hybrid detector configurations and the influence of the perovskite-silicon interface on device response.
The integration of high-Z perovskite absorbers with silicon technology is relevant for future pixelated detectors, where efficient X-ray absorption may be combined with the low-noise and high-spatial-resolution capabilities of mature CMOS platforms. X-ray irradiation measurements on fabricated devices show a measurable photocurrent response, while preliminary perovskite-on-silicon results support the feasibility of a functional hybrid detector structure. Current efforts focus on interface optimization, dark-current suppression, charge-collection improvement and long-term stability, which remain key steps toward practical implementation of solution-processed perovskite radiation detectors for next-generation X-ray diagnostic and imaging systems.

Speaker: Amir Khan (LNF-INFN & University of Rome 'Tor Vergata')

A. Khan.pdf

16:05 Design and manufacturing of the Modular Diagnostic Platform prototype

The Modular Diagnostics Platform (MDP) is a microwave-based, port-plug–integrated diagnostic system developed by Next Step Fusion that addresses fusion-plant-relevant challenges by minimizing the foot-print, enforcing a standardized and maintainable architecture, and providing all the data required for advanced plasma state reconstruction. The prototype has been designed based on microwave diagnostics. It consists of a multi-channel ECE system and 4 reflectometers. This prototype is under manufacturing and will be tested in the coming months on the TCV and DIII-D tokamaks.
The prototype will demonstrate that a joint microwave transmission line is relevant and efficient in a real-world experiment, will explore the flexibility of the solution during the transfer between TCV and DIII-D, and will be validated against existing diagnostics already installed.
We will present the detailed design of the system-on-chip ECE radiometer able to measure on the 68-110 GHz band, together with the 4 reflectometers operating on the K, Ka, Q and V bands (18-75 GHz) and covering both O-mode and X-mode polarization. The solution for coupling the instruments to the oversized waveguides, the vacuum window design and the in-vessel antennas will be presented as well. The integration into TCV and DIII-D tokamaks will be described with an emphasis on the adaptability of the proposed architecture to diverse hardware environments and measurement conditions, preserving the quality and completeness of the provided plasma parameters, with support for physics-based plasma parameter reconstruction techniques. The data acquisition system based on National Instruments cards, is being built efficiently with all instrument data acquisition, the required arbitrary waveform generators, together with the general control and monitoring system being managed by an universal single controller and integrated into a single PXIe rack. Moreover, the MDP's modular and standardized design inherently improves tolerance to high maintenance demands, enabling rapid component swaps, remote diagnostics, and reduced calibration overhead, which are essential for sustained operation in reactor-grade conditions.

Speaker: Antoine Sirinelli (Next Step Fusion)

Abstract_MPD_Prototype_ICFDT8_v2docx

16:06 Overview of DTT magnetic diagnostic

The Divertor Tokamak Test (DTT) facility, currently under construction at ENEA Research Center in Frascati, is a high-field superconducting device designed to investigate the power exhaust solutions for future DEMO-class reactors. It will feature actively cooled tungsten components to test advanced magnetic configurations, which requires a highly accurate magnetic diagnostics for plasma control and vertical stabilization.
Integrated directly into the machine's architecture, the DTT magnetic diagnostics provide essential information for machine protection and stable plasma equilibrium. The design features optimized sensor arrays engineered to measure fundamental plasma parameters, including plasma shape, and complex phenomena, such as perturbations, eddy and halo currents.
Consisting of roughly 1,000 internal and external sensors, the system utilizes model-based optimization to maintain errors below 1% for plasma current reconstruction and under 1 cm for centroid positioning. Furthermore, dedicated bi-axial pick-up coils embedded in the divertor cassette enable precise, real-time control of the X-point and strike points during advanced divertor configurations.
The DTT magnetic diagnostics team has addressed critical design constraints, including extreme operational stresses, such as high temperature gradients during wall conditioning and baking procedures, stray radiation from ECRH systems, neutron fluxes, and electromagnetic loads, in addition to severe space limitations particularly on the high-field side. The system requires careful integration with the water-cooled first wall and vacuum vessel to manage project bottlenecks and ensure proper installation.
Finally, since the required novel sensors cannot be replaced via remote handling during the extensive DTT operational phase, a strategic level of hardware redundancy has been incorporated into the design.

Speaker: Dr Giovanni Artaserse (ENEA NUC-DTT-OPD)

Abstract - ICFDT8 - Overview of DTT magnetic diagnostics_V1.0 -AM.docx

16:07 Simulations of expected spectra from charge exchange reactions between impurity ions and a Diagnostic Neutral Beam in the DTT tokamak

A Charge Exchange Recombination Spectroscopy (CXRS) diagnostic for the Divertor Tokamak Test (DTT) is currently under design. DTT is a medium-sized (R = 2.19 m, a = 0.70 m), fully superconducting tokamak, presently under construction at the ENEA Research Center in Frascati, Italy. Thanks to its high external heating power (up to P = 45 MW, provided by a combination of ECRH, ICRH and NBH), DTT aims at reproducing the levels of divertor heat loads expected in ITER and DEMO, with the goal of exploring heat exhaust solutions in fusion-relevant environments. Following the research objectives outlined in the DTT Research Plan, a set of diagnostics was identified to explore ion dynamics and perform transport studies. The CXRS system, extensively used in magnetic confinement devices, provides radially resolved impurity ion temperature ($T_i$), density ($n_Z$) and rotation ($v_i$) profiles. A low-power, non-perturbative Diagnostic Neutral Beam Injector (DNBI) is planned to be installed in DTT after the machine commissioning phase. This will provide a D0 and H0 neutral source for Charge Exchange (CX) reactions with impurity ions. Currently, two CXRS systems, with lines of sight covering the core, mid-radius and edge regions, are under design. A preliminary assessment of the expected Ne CX spectra was performed using the Simulation of Spectra (SoS) code [1], studying the spectrometer response for the DTT plasma scenarios A1, C1 and E1 reported in [2]. These results showed that background signal subtraction is essential to provide reliable CXRS measurements in all three explored DTT scenario, and found an indicative optimal range for the DNBI energy at around 80-90 keV/amu. This work presents updated estimations of the diagnostic spectral response, with an upgraded system geometry, providing an up-to-date model to benchmark previous calculations.
[1] von Hellermann, M. et al. Atoms 2019, 7, 30
[2] I. Casiraghi et al 2023 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 65 035017

Speakers: Mrs Emma Amadou, Filippo Bagnato (DTT S.c.a.r.l.)

Amadou_ICFDT8.docx

16:08 Generation of Synthetic Radiation Patterns for Tomographic Studies in DTT Plasmas

The Divertor Tokamak Test (DTT), currently under construction at ENEA Frascati, is designed to investigate power exhaust solutions and plasma-facing component protection under reactor-relevant conditions [1]. Among its diagnostic systems, bolometry will play a key role in characterizing plasma radiation, impurity studies, radiative cooling including detached divertor scenarios [2].
Since experimental measurements are not yet available, synthetic emissivity distributions are required for the development of synthetic diagnostics, including the optimization of tomographic reconstruction algorithms and to support the design of the diagnostic system. In this work, synthetic emissivity maps are generated for a set of DTT plasma scenarios obtained from ASTRA simulations, enabling a systematic investigation of the radiation patterns expected under different operating conditions. The approach combines magnetic equilibrium information with radiated power density profiles obtained from ASTRA simulations of full-power single-null plasma discharges [3]. Starting from one-dimensional radiated power density profiles, a numerical procedure has been developed to reconstruct emissivity distributions within the Last Closed Magnetic Surface. The methodology has been developed to preserve the original radial power profiles while exhibiting different poloidal radiation distributions. In particular, the study has focused on both axisymmetric configurations characterized by isoradiative flux surfaces and non-axisymmetric emissivity, which mimics fluctuations in emissivity.
The resulting synthetic phantoms have been then provided as inputs for a Maximum-Likelihood-based tomographic reconstruction code applied for DTT [4]. Preliminary analyses demonstrate that the actual diagnostic layout can reproduce both the global radiated power density profiles and the main features of the investigated emissivity distributions. In particular, good agreements have been observed between the original modelled profiles and the reconstructed ones for both axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric cases. These results demonstrate the flexibility of the proposed framework in generating physically consistent synthetic radiation scenarios during the DTT phases. They also provide a basis for future studies involving more complex radiation patterns, including those related to X-points

Speaker: Dr Emmanuele Peluso (Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Italy)

Apruzzese_Abstract_ICFDT8.pdf

16:09 Study for combined Second and Third Harmonic dispersion interferometry for plasma density measurement

Several fusion devices have been implemented second harmonic dispersion interferometer, which has been used to measure the line-integrated electron density (LIED). This diagnostic technique, which will be analyzed here in its homodyne implementation, is based on a laser beam which propagates through the plasma collinearly with the beam converted into one of its harmonics, typically the second-harmonic. Being the plasma a dispersive medium, the beams are subject to different phase shifts from which it is possible to retrieve the plasma free electron density.

In this study, we propose the simultaneous use of more up-converted beams to collinearly probe the plasma at the same time. A third-harmonic beam may propagate collinearly to the fundamental and second-harmonic converted laser, with a small increase in the complexity of the setup. The use of more harmonics makes this device more robust to fringe skips and increases the robustness of the measurement. However, the low conversion efficiency of nonlinear crystals for higher-order harmonic generation remains one of the primary challenges to be addressed.

The main advantages and issues of this proposed setup will be discussed. Estimations of the raw and processed signals in a typical fusion device scenario will be presented, together with a schematic of a possible implementation of this diagnostic.

Speaker: Francesco Filippi (ENEA)

Abstract ICFDT8_Filippi.docx

17:00 → 18:20 Short Orals

17:00 Side-on GEMpix detector characterization for charged-particles tracking via ⁶Li reaction products at n_TOF

In many applications, knowing neutron cross sections is fundamental for accurate quantitative evaluations, including (n, cp) reactions that produce protons, deuterons, tritons, and alpha particles. Investigating these mechanisms is crucial for assessing radiation damage in tokamak structural materials [1] (notably Be, Fe, Mo, and W in blankets and divertors) and evaluating delivered doses in advanced radiation therapy like Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). Furthermore, in dosimetry, astrophysics, and nuclear fission, key reactions include $^{14}N(n, p)^{14}C$, $^{16}O(n, \alpha)^{13}C$ and $^{35}Cl(n, p)^{35}S$. For the measurement of low-energy charged particles (< 2 MeV), a GEMpix detector in a side-on geometry has been proposed because it could represent a complementary diagnostic with respect to higher-energy charged particles. The new side-on GEMpix [2] has a standard configuration in its amplification and read-out stages (a triple GEM camera read by a Timepix1 Quad), but features a drift region of 12 mm and two side glass windows. In addition, the cathode is removable so that it can be substituted with another one equipped with a vertical target on one side, located at the beginning of the active volume. For the experimental tests performed at the n_TOF facility (CERN), the target was a 5 $\mu$m layer of Lithium Fluoride (LiF) enriched with $^{6}Li$ at 95% deposited on a 400 $\mu$m Alumina sheet. The experiment aimed to study the capability of the new detector to identify and discriminate triton and alpha reaction products from the ($n$, $^{6}Li)$ reaction. Their measurement was tested across different neutron energy ranges from thermal up to 15 MeV, which is of interest for fast neutrons in nuclear fusion. The results presented in this work demonstrate that by defining appropriate track parameters, it is possible to identify the two particle families (alphas and tritons) down to a minimum energy of 0.2 MeV. Furthermore, the background contribution was estimated and characterized by means of FLUKA MC simulations, particularly at higher neutron energies.

[1] M.R. Gilbert et al., Neutron-induced dpa, transmutations, gas production, and helium embrittlement of fusion materials, J. Nucl. Mat. 442, Supp. 1, S755 (2013)
[2] G. Claps, A. Tamburrino, V. De Leo, F. Cordella, D. Pacella, A. Pietropaolo, A. Zerbini, M. A. Vincenti, Side-on GEMpix detector for the measurement of charged particles from neutron induced reactions, 2025 International Conference on Applied Electronics (AE)

Speaker: Dr Gerardo Claps (Centro Ricerche ENEA Frascati, NUC-Department and INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati)

17:10 Simultaneous O- and X-mode plasma probing with a shared dual-polarisation reflectometer front-end: a full-wave feasibility study

Microwave reflectometry probes the plasma either in Ordinary (O-mode) or Extraordinary (X-mode) polarisation, with cut-offs depending, respectively, on the electron density alone or on both density and magnetic field. Operating both modes over the same line of sight extends the measurements to the very edge of the plasma via the X-mode upper cut-off, while the cross-comparison of simultaneous O- and X-mode measurements, demonstrated on ASDEX Upgrade, validates the density profiles and can provide estimates of the magnetic field [1]. Serving both modes from a single compact front-end is therefore attractive.
We propose a concept in which a bistatic pair of horn antennas, emitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx), each served by its own rectangular waveguide, is installed with the broad wall aligned with the toroidal direction. The fundamental TE10 mode then radiates with the electric field perpendicular to the toroidal magnetic field, probing the plasma in X-mode. The orthogonal TE01 mode of the same guide, with E parallel to the toroidal field, probes in O-mode. O-mode operation covers several standard bands (e.g. K to W), the waveguide, fundamental at the lowest band, becoming progressively oversized at the higher bands [2]; X-mode uses a band matched to the upper cut-off of the scenario, with lower cut-off probing also contemplated [1]. At this stage, only the terminal waveguide sections and the antennas are modelled, with the aperture shape chosen to control the radiation pattern of each polarisation, leaving the full transmission line to a subsequent machine-specific implementation.
The feasibility study is carried out with the 3D finite-difference time-domain full-wave code REFMUL3 [3,4], supported by the 2D full-polarisation code REFMULF [2]. Since the simulations give direct access to the fields inside the waveguides, the signal returning to the Tx antenna is also analysed, allowing bistatic and monostatic operation to be compared. The proof of principle uses a slab plasma of manageable size, with density and magnetic field parameters approaching those of a Low Field Side scenario of DTT, a probable implementation environment [2,3]. A prospective extension to a full DTT study, in line with previous O-mode assessments for this machine [2,3], is discussed.

[1] P. Varela, M. Manso and ASDEX Upgrade Team (2012) Rev. Sci. Instrum., 83, 10E315.
[2] F. da Silva et al. (2021) Fusion Eng. Des., 168, 112405.
[3] F. da Silva et al. (2025) JINST, 20, C09004.
[4] J.M. Santos et al. (2021) JINST, 16, C11013.

Speaker: Dr Filipe da Silva (Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear do Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa)

F_da_Silva_1Abstract_ICFDT8_Oct2026_Frascati_FdaSilva.pdf

17:20 MiniTRUST: A UNITUS–ASIPP China Collaboration for Tokamak Engineering and Magnetic Diagnostics

MiniTRUST has been developed as a scaled engineering device of the Tuscia Research University Small Tokamak (TRUST) through a collaboration between the University of Tuscia (UNITUS) and the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP). Conceived as an intermediate step toward the commissioning of TRUST, it provides a flexible platform for validating magnetic systems, diagnostics, control electronics, and data acquisition hardware before their implementation on the full-scale device. In addition, miniTRUST serves as the first experimental platform for testing the Alternative Magnetic Layout (AML), enabling the assessment of its electromagnetic behaviour and operational feasibility prior to its implementation on TRUST [1, 2].
Particular emphasis is placed on the magnetic system, supporting the commissioning of the central solenoid, poloidal field coils, power supplies, and control strategies, as well as the validation of electromagnetic models. The magnetic diagnostic system includes 20 fixed flux loops and a modular array of in-house developed dual-axis Hall probes, whose number and position can be adapted to experimental needs. This flexible architecture enables magnetic field mapping, sensor calibration, electromagnetic model validation, and the development of magnetic reconstruction and plasma control techniques.
The device is built around a quartz glass vacuum vessel, providing excellent optical access while allowing the future integration of vacuum pumping and glow discharge systems. Beyond its engineering role, miniTRUST also serves as an educational platform where students participate in the design, commissioning, and operation of fusion technologies, reducing technical risks for TRUST while supporting the training of future fusion engineers.

[1] S. Carusotti et. Al. (2025), “Preliminary study on alternative magnetic layout (AML) for tokamaks reactors in the TRUST project framework” Engineering and Design, Elsevier.
[2] S. Carusotti et. Al. (2025), “Overview of university-class Tokamak TRUST: Preliminary characterization of plasma scenario and disruption studies”, Fusion Engineering and Design, Elsevier.

Speaker: Matteo Notazio (Università degli Studi della Tuscia)

M_Notazio.docx

17:30 Design of a Diamond Camera for TCV

The design of diagnostics for next‑generation fusion devices must address a number of technological and scientific issues, including the capability to operate in the harsh environment expected inside the vacuum vessel. Recent studies have suggested the use of diamond photodetectors within diagnostic systems positioned in close proximity to the plasma as replacements for other semiconductors, in particular Si diodes, thanks to their higher resilience to radiation damage and high temperatures, their high signal-to-noise ratios, and their extremely fast response.
Thin, single‑crystal CVD diamond detectors are being developed at the laboratories of Industrial Engineering of the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” for several applications, including fusion plasma diagnostics. An initial installation of two photodetectors on JET [1], followed by a subsequent deployment on FTU [2, 3], has shown that these detectors are highly suitable for the investigation of fast plasma phenomena, owing to their strong sensitivity in the spectral range up to 3 keV combined with their excellent time resolution.
In this work, we present the design of a Diamond Camera to be integrated on the TCV machine. The prototype, developed within a collaboration between ENEA and the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, consists of an array of 15 detectors to be installed in one of the upper lateral ports of the tokamak. The design allows the placement of filters in front of the detectors to select specific spectral ranges along chosen LoS, as well as the possibility to rotate the entire diagnostic system by 90°, thereby enabling access to complementary measurement geometries (toroidal or poloidal). Signals from the Diamond Camera will be processed using an 8‑channel, low‑noise current amplifier developed by CAEN and FEMTO single‑channel transimpedance amplifiers. The acquired data will be benchmarked against measurements from other diagnostics available on the machine to exploit the capability of diamond photodetectors to provide complementary information on the observed plasma phenomena. This could provide an indication of the minimum number of photodiodes effectively required in a fully diamond‑based tomographic system for reliable plasma reconstruction.

[1] M. Angelone et al. (2008) Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A 595 616
[2] F. Bombarda et al. (2021) Nuclear Fusion 61
[3] S. Cesaroni et al. (2021) Fusion Engineering and Design 166, 112323

Speaker: Silvia Cesaroni (ENEA)

S_Cesaroni.docx

17:40 Effects of fast particles on plasma polarimetry in high performance fusion plasmas

In Magnetic Confinement Fusion devices like the tokamaks , the plasma dielectric properties can be used for diagnostic purposes. In particular the plasma birefringence induced by the magnetic field, i.e. the difference between the refraction index parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field has a strong effect on the polarization of a wave propagating inside the plasma. The Polarimeter is an instrument with lines of sights located in the poloidal plane of a tokamak. The Polarimetry measurements, i.e. Faraday Rotation(FR) and Cotton-Mouton Phase Shift (CM), are useful as constraint for the determination of the plasma equilibrium and for the measurement of the plasma density, respectively. The modelling tool for polarimetry, is the Stokes model where FR and CM are calculated using the spatial profile of the magnetic field components Br and Bz ( radial and vertical in the poloidal plane) of the plasma magnetic field(B) determined by the equilibrium code EFIT [1,2]. It is important to note that in high performance fusion plasmas the fast particle ( alpha particles and fast ions produced by heating systems) pressure can be a substantial part of plasma pressure, having strong effects on plasma equilibrium. This implies that the components of the magnetic field determining the plasma birefringence are determined by the fast particle pressure. The paper presents a theoretical treatment of these effects using the Stokes model in a simplified geometry of circular plasma. It is demonstrated that the Faraday rotation induced by the fast particle pressure can be substantial.

1. F P Orsitto et al , Analysis of Faraday rotation in JET polarimetric measurements , Plasma Phys Contr Fusion 53(2011) 035001
2. F P Orsitto , S E Segre and JET Contributors , Plasma Phys Contr Fusion 61(2019)055008

Speaker: francesco paolo orsitto (create and enea)

ICFDT8 F P ORSITTO ABSTRACT_Nr2_PDF.pdf

17:50 Spatio-Temporal Deep Learning for Particle Discrimination in Timepix3 Detectors: a Diagnostic Tool for the AI Era

Hybrid pixel detectors such as Timepix3 provide simultaneous spatial, energetic, and temporal information at the single-pixel level, making them attractive for radiation diagnostics across high-energy physics, fusion, and applied environments. Exploiting this rich, multidimensional data for reliable particle identification (PID), however, remains challenging for conventional approaches based on handcrafted cluster features. We present a deep-learning diagnostic framework that extends the PointNet++ architecture to four dimensions, treating each detector cluster as an unordered point cloud in (x, y, E, t), thereby preserving full pixel-level information without prior feature engineering. The model introduces a learnable weighted metric that quantifies the relative contribution of the spatial, energetic, and temporal coordinates to the discrimination task, while global descriptors (cluster size, total and maximum energy) retain absolute-scale information. A proof-of-concept on experimental data achieves high classification accuracy; the learned metric reveals the dominant role of spatial morphology, with temporal information providing complementary discrimination. Crucially, blind inference on Am-Be field data reveals emergent neutron/gamma separation and identifies proton-recoil candidates without explicit training on these classes, demonstrating the method's robustness and transferability. The approach offers a physically interpretable, scalable, and detector-agnostic tool for next-generation diagnostics, illustrating how AI can enhance measurement capabilities in pixelated radiation detectors.

Speaker: Francesco Cordella (ENEA)

18:00 Improving the time resolution of bolometric tomography in TCV with modelling of AXUV-diodes

The measurement of the total radiated power emitted by a tokamak plasma is a key diagnostic, as radiation represents a significant fraction of the power exhaust. Beyond its role in the global energy balance, the spatial distribution of radiation is essential for assessing impurity behaviour and ensuring the safe operation of plasma facing components. Bolometers provide accurate absolute measurements but are limited in temporal resolution, restricting the observation of fast events. AXUV diodes, part of the TCV RADCAM system, offer high temporal resolution but suffer from hardware related limitations that prevent stable absolute calibration. This work aims to reconstruct fast radiative events in TCV plasmas, such as ELMs and MARFEs, with the absolute sensitivity of bolometric diagnostics while exploiting the higher temporal resolution of AXUV measurements.
A first approach uses the emissivity reconstructed from bolometric tomography to compute the AXUV signals expected from the plasma. The ratio between measured and expected signals provides a time‑dependent recalibration factor applied to rescale the AXUV data, enabling synthetic bolometric signals with significantly improved temporal resolution. Preliminary results show that this factor not static, but vary between discharges and across campaigns, consistent with the known progressive degradation of diode sensitivity and eventually saturation. Ongoing statistical analysis across multiple shots is used to quantify this evolution and to assess the reliability of the method across a wide range of plasma conditions. As a second approach, a machine learning-based method is proposed. Neural networks are trained to learn the mapping between diode measurements and the corresponding bolometric outputs. Compared to the tomographic method, this data driven model exploits the complementary nature of the two diagnostic systems, capturing the underlying correlations despite their different spectral sensitivities, and can implicitly account for the long term sensitivity drift of the diodes. Once trained, the model provides calibrated AXUV signals with bolometer equivalent absolute sensitivity and high temporal resolution, allowing the study of radiative behaviour during fast transient, otherwise inaccessible with conventional bolometry. The robustness of the method is further enhanced by constraining the model with additional correlated measurements, such as electron temperature and electron density.

Speaker: Valentina D Agostino (Enea/Tor Vergata)

Wednesday 21 October

09:00 → 09:40 Environmental applications and safety

09:00 RISK ANALYSIS EVALUATION TO IMPROVE THE RADIATION PROTECTION SYSTEM IN ITALY IN CASE OF A RADIOLOGICAL DISPERSAL DEVICE OR NUCLEAR DEVICE EXPLOSION

The increasing risk posed by radiological terrorism and the evolving geopolitical landscape have highlighted the need to continuously strengthen national radiation protection systems against intentional releases of radioactive materials. Among the most challenging scenarios are Radiological Dispersal Devices (RDDs, “dirty bombs”) and Improvised Nuclear Devices (INDs), which may produce severe consequences not only in terms of radiation exposure but also through widespread social disruption, economic losses, and psychological impacts. Building upon the experience gained from the analysis of historical CBRNe incidents, the Italian National Emergency Plan for Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies (EP-RN), and recent research activities conducted at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, this work proposes an integrated risk analysis framework aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the current Italian radiation protection system and identifying opportunities for improvement. It is necessary to emphasize the importance of combining emergency planning, scientific research, and crisis communication to enhance national preparedness against radiological emergencies. The proposed methodology combines qualitative and semi-quantitative risk assessment with consequence modelling, emergency response analysis, and stakeholder evaluation across all phases of crisis management, including preparedness, detection, response, recovery, and public communication. Particular attention is devoted to decision-making processes under uncertainty, interoperability among first responders, integration of radiation monitoring networks, emergency medical management, and protective actions for the population. The study also considers the role of advanced technologies, decision support systems, artificial intelligence, and digital communication tools in supporting emergency managers while reducing misinformation and improving public trust. The analysis identifies critical vulnerabilities related to operational coordination, information sharing, radiological monitoring capabilities, and risk communication, particularly in complex urban environments. Based on these findings, a series of recommendations is proposed to strengthen the Italian radiation protection framework through enhanced interagency cooperation, optimized emergency procedures, improved training programmes, and the adoption of risk-informed planning approaches. The proposed framework may also support other countries seeking to increase resilience against intentional radiological events while contributing to the continuous evolution of international CBRNe preparedness and response strategies.

Speaker: Andrea Malizia (Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata)

ICFDT8_Malizia.docx

09:20 THz-TDS diagnostic for WEST tokamak, status and future plans

In future fusion power plants, the number of access points for measurements will be limited by the need to utilize a very large tritium breeding surface area on the tokamak walls. Therefore, it is necessary to develop innovative techniques to combine, ideally within a single compact diagnostic, several measurements of physical quantities useful for operation.

The frequency range spanning from the Far Infrared Radiation to the submillimeter region (100– 2000 GHz) has been historically used as a source of diagnostic information for important physical parameters in Nuclear Fusion Experiments. Amongst such parameters it can be cited plasma density, temperature, local magnetic field and fluctuations of all the above, using different types of diagnostics, based on the relevant physics principles.

TeraHertz – Time Domain Spectroscopy (THz – TDS) is a Spectroscopic technique that covers the same frequency range of the above diagnostics, by using pulsed, polarized electromagnetic waves. By translating this technique to the realm of nuclear fusion, a multifunctional diagnostic potentially capable of performing measurements akin to reflectometry, interferometry and polarimetry and in perspective ECE, can be realized.

WEST tokamak, thanks to its plasma parameters and long pulse length (up to twenty minutes), will be a very useful benchmark to test the capabilities of a THz-TDS diagnostic against the corresponding measurements of existing well-established systems.

In this presentation, the project for realization of a THz-TDS multifunctional diagnostic to be installed on WEST will be presented. The basic principles, the general layout, the technical solution devised and the analysis of the main expected issues will be discussed.

Speaker: Giuseppe Galatola Teka

09:40 → 11:30 Fusion machines (including subtopics on: measurements of temperature and density; DTT and East tokamaks)

09:40 Density measurements for high power magnetic confinement fusion

This talk will outline the main techniques that provide density measurements in present magnetic fusion devices (interferometry, Thomson scattering, reflectometry and refractometry included) and provide application notes for their use where the plasma facing power density (particles, neutrons, photons) is very high and long life is needed.

Speaker: George Vayakis (ITER Organization (IO))

10:10 Divertor Ion Temperature Profile Measurements at DIII-D with RFEA and PIC-Enhanced Interpretation

A divertor retarding field energy analyzer (RFEA), for time-resolved local ion temperature (Ti) measurements was tested in the lower divertor of the DIII-D tokamak using the Divertor Material Evaluation System (DiMES). Two more RFEAs embedded in the lower divertor tiles are also to be deployed during the upcoming Tungsten Tile Testing (T3) Campaign. DiMES tests have demonstrated high quality signals in most of the scrape-off layer (SOL) with significant signal distortion under low temperature conditions (electron temperature, Te < 5 eV) such as the private flux region and suggest a Ti/Te ratio ranging from 1-4. The dependencies of Ti, including distance to separatrix, input power, and election density, are investigated and compared with Te from the Langmuir probes. Furthermore, particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations with realistic probe geometry and experimental conditions are utilized to decipher the signal distortions caused by space charge and selective transmission inside the RFEA cavity. The PIC-based workflow has shown effectiveness to significantly improve the interpretability of the signal and facilitates detailed analysis for ion energy distribution function (IEDF) at the divertor surface, beyond the conventional Maxwellian assumptions for the incident ions.

Speaker: Bingzhe Zhao (University of Tennessee Knoxville)

10:30 Advances in Electron Density Calibration Techniques for the DIII-D Thomson Scattering Diagnostic

The absolute calibration of the Thomson scattering diagnostic for electron density measurements on the DIII-D tokamak has traditionally relied on Rayleigh scattering from neutral monatomic gases [1]. However, in regions with significant stray laser light, such as the divertor, Rayleigh scattering proves unreliable. To address this, a Raman scattering-based calibration method has been implemented across all Thomson scattering measurement locations, including the divertor.
This study presents the results of the Raman calibration and compares them to Rayleigh-based results where overlap exists. The Raman calibration generally produces higher plasma density values compared to Rayleigh, though not uniformly across all locations. Potential causes for this discrepancy are explored alongside proposed solutions. The influence of spectral channel selection for Raman wavelengths and of point-to-point variability on calibration outcomes is discussed.
Additionally, cross-calibration using electron cyclotron emission (ECE) cut-off measurements has been refined, leveraging an updated plasma shape to improve spatial coverage, and is used to correct the Raman calibration factors. In the divertor region, a combination of Raman-based calibration, ECE-based corrections, and plasma pressure-based analysis is performed.

Work supported by U.S. D.O.E. under DE-FC02-04ER54698.

[1] B. Bray, C. Hsieh, T. N. Carlstrom, and C. C. Makariou (2001) “Upgraded calibrations of the Thomson system at DIII-D,” Review of Scientific Instruments, vol. 72, no. 1, pp. 1115–1117.

Speaker: Fabio Conti (General Atomics)

10:50 Plasma density diagnostics and machine-learning jitter analysis for stable PWFA operation at SPARC_LAB

Plasma-wakefield accelerators sustain GV/m-scale gradients, but shot-to-shot reproducibility remains the main obstacle to user-oriented operation. Diagnosing and controlling this instability requires measuring the plasma itself, not just the beam.
At the SPARC_LAB plasma-based accelerator facility at INFN-LNF, Stark broadening spectroscopy of the Hβ line provided shot-resolved plasma density measurements during live acceleration runs. Laser-triggered discharge operation reduced discharge fluctuations from ~10% to 1%, cutting empty shots from ~45% to 0.5% and witness-energy jitter by a factor of five.
Residual jitter was then studied on a dataset of ~941 shots across six working points and 19 machine features, combining Stark-derived density with upstream beam diagnostics. A heteroscedastic neural network quantifies predictive uncertainty shot-by-shot, while permutation importance and conditional mutual information isolate the contribution of each feature. Injected charge is the dominant driver of witness-energy fluctuations. Witness energy-spread jitter, by contrast, cannot be predicted from the measured machine state, setting a quantitative bound on what diagnostics and closed-loop controls can realistically achieve.

Speaker: Romain Demitra (INFN_-LNF)

R_Demitra_abstract_ICFDT8.docx

11:00 ECE and Thomson Scattering Diagnostics and their relation with the Electron Energy Distribution Function: Principles, Meanings, and Formulations.

Electron temperature (Te) measurements in magnetized fusion plasmas rely heavily on Electron Cyclotron Emission (ECE) radiometry and High-Resolution Thomson Scattering (HRTS). While both diagnostics are routinely used to reconstruct Te profiles, significant discrepancies often emerge in specific operational regimes, particularly in high-performance plasmas approaching reactor-relevant conditions. This work provides a comprehensive review of the underlying physics governing both diagnostics, focusing on their distinct mathematical and physical relationships with the electron velocity distribution function (EEDF) f(v). We highlight that while Thomson Scattering evaluates a global, isotropic projection of the bulk distribution through a logarithmic derivative formulation, remaining remarkably robust against localized kinetic perturbations, the ECE absorption and emission coefficients are intrinsically tied to the directional, perpendicular derivative integrated over momentum space. Consequently, ECE exhibits an extreme sensitivity to minor, anisotropic distortions in the perpendicular velocity space, such as those induced by bipolar kinetic perturbations. This not only amplifies the discrepancy between the two measurements but also leads to a severe misestimation of the core Te. By examining the underlying principles, physical interpretations, and exact mathematical formulations of both diagnostics, this paper aims to contribute to identifying and interpreting cross-diagnostic discrepancies, thereby providing insight into the physics of the core plasma under these critical conditions. Finally, examples comparing modelling results with JET DTE3 data are presented, utilizing the latest version of the database, which includes a rigorous evaluation of ECE experimental errors.

Speaker: Luca Senni (CNR-IAC)

ICFDT8_Abstract_LS.pdf

11:10 PHYSICS BASIS OF DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN MEASUREMENTS OF ELECTRON TEMPERATURE BY ECE AND THOMSON SCATTERING AND IMPACT ON THE TEMPERATURE DIAGNOSTICS FOR FUSION MACHINES

Discrepancies between the Electron Cyclotron Emission (ECE) and Thomson Scattering measurements of electron temperature were observed on JET, TFTR and more recently on FTU and JET in high performance , high electron temperature ( Te>7KeV) plasmas in Deuterium-Tritium Campaigns. The physics basis of the differences of ECE and Thomson scattering measurements can be identified in the way the deviation of electron velocity distribution function(EVDF) from Maxwellian is affecting the spectrum of the detected radiation [1]. In this paper a short summary of the experimental results is presented on the ECE-Thomson discrepancy, leading to the need of building diagnostic systems measuring the electron velocity distribution function(EVDF). The Thomson Scattering system measures the spectrum of the scattered light which is proportional to the EVDF: so in principle improving the spectral resolution and the accuracy of the measurement could lead to the direct measurement of the EVDF. The achievement of these improvements has important technical implications on the input laser power and spectral analysis. The ECE spectrum measured can be compared with the black body radiation spectrum leading to the identification of the presence of a non-maxwellian part of the EVDF.
1. F P Orsitto et al , 30th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference ( FEC) 2025 Chengdu, China, ‘ Physics basis of discrepancies between temperature measurements by ECE and Thomson Scattering in high performance plasmas on JET , EAST and DIII-D’, paper IAEA-CN-316-2673

Speaker: francesco paolo orsitto (create and enea)

pdf_F P ORSITTO ICFDT8 ABSTRACT.pdf

11:00 → 11:30 Coffee Break

11:30 → 13:20 Fusion machines (including subtopics on: measurements of temperature and density; DTT and East tokamaks)

11:30 Lithium Beam Emission Spectroscopy for Turbulence Studies in the EAST Pedestal and Scrape-Off-Layer: Application and Upgrade to Sodium Beam

A Lithium Beam Emission Spectroscopy (Li-BES) has been successfully developed on EAST [S. Zoletnik et al 2018 Rev. Sci. Instrum. 89 063503], providing measurement of density fluctuation in the pedestal and SOL regions with high spatial and temporal resolutions. This diagnostic enabled us to conduct a series of important physics studies. A non-axisymmetry distribution of edge coherent mode (ECM) induced by resonant magnetic perturbation was observed when ELMs were suppressed, and the lower-hybrid-wave-induced turbulence transition from the ECM with a lower k_⊥ to a broadband turbulence with a higher k_⊥ was also reported in an ELMy H-mode pedestal. Blob characteristics variation in the SOL determined by different auxiliary heating schemes was studied, as well as edge turbulence and shear flow evolutions approaching the density limit in L-mode plasmas. Moreover, nonlinear interactions during the initial establishment and saturation phases of the ECM can also be investigated by applying a nonlinear correlation algorithm. However, the Li-BES system also suffers from high levels of background stray light noise and incurs high operation and maintenance costs. An upgrade to the Na-BES system is now underway. Comparing with the Li-BES, the maximum beam current of Na injector is doubled while the maximum lifetime of ion source is increased by more than one order of magnitude, thus the O&M costs would be significantly reduced. The spectral region surrounding the target Na-I line is exceptionally clean, with no strong emissions, thereby resulting in substantially reduced stray light interference. Performance prediction of upgrading lithium beam emission spectroscopy diagnostic to sodium beam emission spectroscopy diagnostic has been performed, suggesting a significantly improved measurement performance, including approximately 2‒6 times the effective beam emission signal intensity captured by each detector in the edge region of EAST, a substantially enhanced effective spatial resolution, and a marked reduction in background emission interference. The enhanced performance of the Na-BES enables more comprehensive measurements of large-scale coherent modes and turbulence in the pedestal region, thus facilitating better understanding of their contributions to regulating the pedestal and controlling ELMs.

Speaker: Ran CHEN (Institute of plasma physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

11:50 Progress in the Development of Diagnostics for Plasma-Wall Interaction in EAST

Two sets of Low Energy Neutral Particle Analyzers (LENPAs) and Quartz Crystal Microbalances (QMBs) have been deployed on EAST to investigate the erosion and deposition processes of first wall materials (FWMs) within magnetic shadow areas (MSAs). These processes affect the lifetime of the first wall components and the fuel retention in the device, thereby posing a potential threat to the safe and stable operation of the tokamaks. The LENPAs, located at the mid-planes of sectors C and H respectively, employ time-of-flight methodology to provide neutral energy spectra in the range of 20–3000 eV [1]. Each LENPA system comprises a chopper subsystem, a 3-meter-long flight tube, dual detector assemblies, along with dedicated data acquisition, vacuum, power supply, and control subsystems. The QMBs, situated at the mid-planes of sectors C and J, utilize the piezoelectric effect to enable in situ, real-time measurements of nanogram-level erosion and deposition evolution on FWMs within MSAs [2]. A QMB instrument consists of a quartz crystal sensor, oscillator, and data acquisition system. This article provides a detailed description of the overall design layout, functions, system composition, and application in experiments of the LENPAs and QMBs on EAST. By integrating LENPA and QMB diagnostics, extensive investigations into erosion and deposition processes of FWMs have been conducted on EAST, including: the evolution of erosion and deposition of FMMs during wall conditioning experiment with lithium and boron as well as plasma operation [3]; measurements of erosion rates of aluminum and lithium induced by neutral particles during long-pulse, high-power plasma discharges [4]; and differences in FWMs erosion-deposition characteristics across radial MSAs [5]. The findings offer critical references for optimizing boronization strategies, predicting fuel retention, and estimating component lifetime in future fusion devices such as ITER.
References
[1] N. X. Liu et al., Nucl. Mater. Energy 33 (2022) 101258
[2] Y. Zhang et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 91 (2020) 076101
[3] Y. M. Liu et al., Nucl. Fusion 65 (2025) 096024
[4] L. Mu et al. Nucl. Mater. Energy 33 (2022) 101248
[5] L. Mu et al. Nucl. Fusion accepted (2026)

Speaker: Rong Yan

12:00 Research Progress of the Polarimeter/Interferometer on the EAST and BEST Tokamak

The polarimeter/interferometer is a core diagnostic for measuring electron density and current density profiles in tokamak plasmas. This report presents recent progress of the POINT (POlarimeter-INTerferometer) system on the EAST tokamak, along with its application to the physical design for the future burning plasma device BEST.
The EAST-POINT system employs the three-wave technique with a 432.5 μm far-infrared laser, providing 11 horizontal chords in a double-pass configuration. It simultaneously measures line-integrated density and Faraday rotation angle with a temporal resolution of 1 μs. Error analysis confirms that Cotton-Mouton effect, finite-temperature effect, geometric phase error, and refraction are negligible or have only minor impacts within the EAST parameter range. The system enables vertical displacement monitoring, disruption warning, and density fluctuation measurements.
A ray-tracing-based POINT diagnostic model has been developed and implemented within the IMAS integrated modeling framework. The model uses EFIT equilibrium reconstructions and density profiles to self-consistently calculate line-integrated density and Faraday rotation angle along the actual beam path. Validation on EAST includes a forward–backward closed-loop test: forward-model predictions agree with experimental measurements within 5% for most channels, and reconstructed density and q profiles closely match the input profiles. The model also benchmarks well against the ITER TIP model.
For the BEST device (Q=1 scenario: Ip=5.3 MA, BT=6 T, Te0=18 keV, ne=7.2×10¹⁹ m⁻³), the validated model has been applied to preliminary diagnostic design. A layout combining three horizontal and five poloidal chords is proposed, enabling vertical displacement monitoring and current profile reconstruction. Two candidate wavelengths, 10.6 μm and 118 μm, are systematically evaluated. While 118 μm is slightly more sensitive to refraction, it provides Faraday rotation signals about two orders of magnitude stronger, making it the preferred choice for robust magnetic-field inference. The model has been further extended to include finite-temperature and Cotton-Mouton effects. Under the BEST Q=1 scenario, the finite-temperature correction is about 2%–3% for core chords, and the Cotton-Mouton contribution remains below 1%, both within acceptable limits, confirming the robustness of the diagnostic approach.
This work provides a physical foundation for the engineering design of the POINT system on BEST and offers a versatile tool for diagnostic design in future burning-plasma devices.

Speaker: SHOUXIN Wang (Institute Of Plasma Physics Chinese Academy Of Sciences)

Abstract_ICFDT8_S.X. Wang.pdf

12:10 Recent Progress in Intelligent Processing of Multimodal Diagnostic Data from the EAST Tokamak

EAST tokamak, one of the most important Magnetic Confinement Fusion (MCF) devices in China, provides an important experimental platform for the study of steady-state advanced plasma operation. Over sixty diagnostic systems on EAST tokamak provides huge amounts of multimodal diagnostic data about MCF plasma. Diagnostic data of EAST tokamak has the characteristics of volume, variety and velocity. In many cases, intelligent fusion data processing methods based on machine learning have advantages over traditional methods. This report reviews some recent progresses on intelligent processing of multimodal diagnostic data on EAST tokamak, including data cleaning, profile reconstruction, and spectral decomposition. To guarantee the availability and reliability of data source in MCF devices, Time-Domain Global Similarity (TDGS) method based on machine learning technologies is developed for automatic data cleaning. The performance of TDGS method on EAST POlarimeter–INTerferometer (POINT) system has reached 0.9871 ± 0.0385. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) are introduced into reconstructing electron density profiles from line-integrated density measurements of interferometers in EAST tokamak. The established CNN model can predict the probability distribution of density profiles accurately, fast, and robustly to noise and interference. Compared to the traditional Park-matrix method, the BPNN-based model demonstrates significantly faster performance and greater robustness against system noise, making it suitable for real-time control of density profiles. Moreover, an improved genetic algorithm is applied to decompose the scattering spectra of Collective Thomson scattering (CTS). This improved genetic algorithm with a new fitness function can obtain a more precise ion temperature from scattering spectra of CTS and does not rely on the measurement of other diagnostic systems, which has an extensive application prospect in data processing of CTS. Machine learning has played an important role in fusion data science, contributing to safe operation and physics discovery, and will play a more and more important role in the future fusion reactors.

Speaker: Ting Lan (Institute of plasma physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Recent Progress in Intelligent Processing of Multimodal Diagnostic Data from the EAST Tokamak.docx

12:20 Development of a Novel Twin Collinear Optically Pumped Far-Infrared Laser

To meet the demand for a high-stability collinear orthogonally polarized light source in far-infrared polarimetric interferometers and Cotton-Mouton polarimeters for tokamak plasma diagnostics, a novel optically pumped twin far-infrared laser based on formic acid (HCOOH) gas is developed in this paper. The laser adopts an innovative integrated design of dual resonant cavities, where the two cavities achieve coaxial optical path layout via an intracavity beam combining technique and share a single output coupler to ensure structural compactness and stability. Through a polarization control mechanism, the polarization directions of the 432 μm far-infrared light emitted from the two cavities are strictly orthogonal, ultimately realizing the direct output of collinearly propagating orthogonally polarized dual light beams. Experimental verification demonstrates that the laser effectively avoids the polarization crosstalk caused by optical path alignment deviations in traditional external beam combining schemes and significantly reduces the systematic error in collinear measurements, with the polarization orthogonality of the output beams being better than 95% and the long-term operating power stability being ±10%. This novel laser provides an integrated light source solution for far-infrared polarimetric diagnostic technologies, and is particularly suitable for high-precision diagnostic scenarios such as the measurements of electron density and magnetic field profiles in fusion plasmas. Meanwhile, it offers a new approach for the miniaturization and integration of multi-beam collinear polarized light sources.

Speaker: Jibo Zhang

abstract.pdf

12:30 Preliminary Comparison of High Electron Temperature Measurements by TS and ECE on EAST under EC and LHW Heating

Accurate measurement of high electron temperature is of great importance for the study of high-performance plasmas on EAST and for future fusion devices. Thomson scattering (TS) and electron cyclotron emission (ECE) are two of the most widely used diagnostics for electron temperature measurement. Discrepancies between TS and ECE in the high-temperature regime have been reported and investigated on devices such as JET and Alcator C-Mod, which has made this issue an important topic in international cross-diagnostic studies and a sustained concern within the International Tokamak Physics Activity (ITPA).
In this work, a preliminary comparison of high electron temperature measurements by TS and ECE on EAST has been carried out using an updated statistical procedure. The data processing method was developed with reference to a recently proposed standardized approach for cross-diagnostic and cross-machine analysis, while also taking into account the practical characteristics of the TS and ECE systems on EAST. Compared with our previous analysis, the present method provides a more consistent and persuasive statistical basis for evaluating the difference between the two diagnostics.
The present study focuses on plasmas under combined electron cyclotron heating (EC) and lower hybrid wave heating (LHW). After spatial matching between TS and ECE measurement locations, statistics were performed over multiple matched points using a joint averaged temperature parameter. Preliminary results show that ECE is generally higher than TS when the electron temperature is below about 6 keV, while TS tends to become higher than ECE when the electron temperature is above about 6 keV.
These observations indicate that the relationship between TS and ECE on EAST changes with temperature under strong electron-heating conditions. This work provides an updated basis for further studies on diagnostic consistency, cross-validation, and the reliability of high-temperature electron temperature measurements on EAST.
References
[1] Fontana, M. et al. “Investigation of Te measurements discrepancies between ECE and Thomson diagnostics in high-performance plasmas in JET.” EPJ Web of Conferences (2023).
[2] White, A. E. et al. “Investigation of the Thomson scattering-ECE discrepancy in ICRF heated plasmas at Alcator C-Mod.” Nuclear Fusion 52 (2012).
[3] Senni L. et al. “Standardizing high electron temperature measurement comparisons: a method for cross-diagnostic and cross-machine analysis.” Journal of Instrumentation, 2025, 20(09):C09009.

Speaker: yiqun LI

yiqun.Li_ICFDT8_Abstract.pdf

12:40 Development of a dual vertical Thomson scattering diagnostic system on EAST

A dual diagnostic system that combines traditional Thomson scattering (TS) system with Television Thomson Scattering (TVTS) system based on laser beam combining technique is developed and experimentally demonstrated on EAST. The vertical dual TS system constructed in this study primarily consists of five components: the laser light source system, optical transmission system, optical collection system, spectrometer and detection system, and synchronous trigger timing control system. The system schematic is shown in Figure 1. In tokamak plasma, Thomson scattering electron temperature measurements are affected when the electron velocity distribution function deviates from the Maxwellian distribution. To investigate and evaluate this phenomenon, a dual Thomson scattering diagnostic system is required to overcome the limitations of a single system. The TVTS system in the dual system primarily covers a 32 mm region along the Z-axis with a spatial resolution of approximately 10 mm.
The study analyzed the theoretical basis for collaborative measurements in dual TS system and conducted subsystem optimization designs to meet the requirements for synchronous operation of dual systems. Based on the design of the two systems, the dual system can perform a comparative analysis of the Thomson scattering signals across Te from 50 to 4000 eV and ne from 0.1 to 1×1019m-3. Experiments on EAST H-mode discharges demonstrate the feasibility of the laser beam combining technique and the reliability of the dual diagnostic system. Subsequent simulation analysis and collaborative diagnostic methods for the dual systems are further discussed, offering new insights into electron temperature measurement in non-Maxwellian plasma. This work is significant for optimizing EAST plasma confinement performance, investigating core transport barriers, and advancing research on plasma dynamics.

Speaker: Yan LI

ICFDT8-Abstract-YanLI.docx

12:50 Design and Engineering of LTCC Sensors for EAST In-Vessel Magnetic Diagnostics

Magnetic diagnostics are essential for the measurement and control of plasma behavior in magnetic confinement fusion devices. However, conventional wound-coil magnetic probes face increasing challenges in future fusion reactors, including material degradation under strong nuclear radiation and high-energy neutron irradiation, as well as limited installation space caused by their relatively large probe volume. Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) technology provides a promising route for developing compact, robust, and radiation-tolerant magnetic sensors for in-vessel applications.

This presentation reports the design, engineering implementation, and preliminary application of LTCC magnetic sensors for EAST in-vessel magnetic diagnostics. Compared with traditional wound probes, the developed LTCC sensors achieve a more than fivefold reduction in volume, while maintaining good diagnostic performance. The sensors exhibit a resonant frequency of approximately 195 kHz, enabling the detection of a wider range of magnetic perturbations. The equivalent effective sensing area reaches 0.25 m², providing a balance between signal sensitivity and spatial resolution. In addition, the LTCC-based structure shows improved signal-to-noise performance, which is beneficial for weak magnetic fluctuation measurements.

The LTCC probe system has been successfully installed inside the EAST vacuum vessel, forming a densely arranged poloidal array consisting of 35 groups with two measurement components in each group. The engineering experience obtained on EAST, including ceramic-vacuum compatibility, thermal cycling stability, installation reliability, and long-term operation in a tokamak environment, provides valuable experimental and engineering reference for similar magnetic diagnostic systems planned for ITER and future fusion devices.

Speaker: 蒙鹏 钱 (中国科学院等离子体物理研究所)

13:00 Application of a Near-Infrared Camera on the EAST Tokamak

Infrared thermography is routinely used for surface temperature measurement of plasma-facing components in tokamaks, but metallic divertor targets introduce uncertainties related to surface emissivity and optical transmission [1]. To improve the temperature measurement capability of the EAST lower divertor, a near-infrared/short-wavelength infrared two-color thermography system has been installed for high-spatial-sampling measurement of the target surface temperature, supporting heat-load assessment, component protection, and future heat-flux reconstruction.
Installed at an upper vertical port, the system integrates a two-color thermometry unit, an endoscopic relay optical system, two short-wavelength infrared cameras, an optical support and alignment assembly, and a data-processing unit. The optical path consists of front imaging optics, relay optics, and rear imaging optics, with a total length of about 3550 mm, a probe diameter of about 60 mm, and a front-end working distance of about 2330 mm. The designed spatial sampling at the target plane is about 0.5 mm/pixel. The cameras have a spectral response range of 400–1700 nm and acquire radiation in two selected bands.
Temperature is reconstructed from the intensity ratio of the two bands according to Planck’s law. Compared with single-band thermography, the two-color method reduces the dependence on absolute radiance calibration, while spectral emissivity effects should be considered [2]. This system provides a new tool for EAST divertor thermography.

Speaker: wenxue fu (Institute of Plasma Physics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Wenxue_Fu.docx

13:10 yefan.zhu Title to be confirmed

Visible optical diagnostics in tokamaks can be significantly affected by stray light, which is mainly generated by multiple reflections of plasma radiation from plasma-facing components. Because plasma-wall interactions continuously modify wall morphology and optical properties, models based on unexposed materials may fail during long-term operation. This study investigates the evolution of visible stray-light effects in EAST by combining optical characterization of molybdenum-titanium-zirconium first-wall tiles with LightTools ray tracing. The samples included one unexposed reference tile and two tiles exposed in the 2024 EAST campaign, comprising 7426 discharges with a total effective discharge duration of 94,064.7 s. The bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) provides an angular description of wall scattering and is useful for stray-light suppression analysis. To quantify directional scattering, BRDF was measured at 656 nm, while spectral reflectance was measured from 400 to 800 nm; surface morphology and composition were characterized by SEM, EDS, and XPS. After exposure, impurity deposition layers mainly containing C, O, and Li formed on the surfaces, with average thicknesses of about 42 and 54 μm. The peak BRDF decreased by up to nearly two orders of magnitude, and the angular distribution became asymmetric, indicating redistribution from specular reflection to broader diffuse scattering. Ray-tracing results show that these wall changes alter both the intensity and spatial distribution of stray light entering diagnostic lines of sight. Thus, the evolution of stray light cannot be described by simply scaling the wall reflectance, but is governed by the wall condition, scattering properties, and diagnostic geometry. Future work will combine BRDF data after plasma exposure with diagnostic measurements from individual discharges to develop correction models for specific diagnostics during long pulse operation.

Speaker: yefan zhu

yefan_zhu.docx

13:20 → 14:20 Lunch break

14:20 → 15:20 Round table

15:20 → 16:20 Phd Prize and Closing talks