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Magnetic vs Inertial Confinement Course

300-hour online course in magnetic vs inertial confinement. 6 modules covering Décret n° 2012-1248 (authorisation for the creation of ITER, INB 174), Arrêté INB du 7 février 2012 (general rules for INBs) and Python (NumPy). Assigned tutor and enrolment open.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesOctober / March
LocationEurope (Madrid)
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Explain the ignition conditions and the Lawson criterion.

02

Describe the principles of magnetic confinement in tokamaks and stellarators.

03

Describe the principles of laser inertial confinement.

04

Compare the technological status of both routes.

05

Assess the materials, energy and operational challenges of each approach.

06

Analyse the economics and roadmaps towards a commercial plant.

07

Produce a reasoned comparative study.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Fusion technology analyst who wants to specialise in Magnetic vs Inertial Confinement.
  • Plasma physics researcher who wants to specialise in Magnetic vs Inertial Confinement.
  • Fusion systems engineer who wants to specialise in Magnetic vs Inertial Confinement.
  • Energy strategy consultant who wants to specialise in Magnetic vs Inertial Confinement.
  • Fusion R&D programme manager who wants to specialise in Magnetic vs Inertial Confinement.
  • Specialist science communicator who wants to specialise in Magnetic vs Inertial Confinement.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to join fusion research centres.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • Décret No. 2012-1248 (INB 174)
  • Arrêté INB du 7 Février 2012 (General Rules for INBs)
  • Directive 2013/59/Euratom (Basic Safety Standards)
  • IAEA SSR-2/1 (Safe Design Reference)
  • ITER Agreement (2006)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1D-T, D-D and D-He3 reactions
  2. 1.2Cross section and reactivity
  3. 1.3Lawson criterion
  4. 1.4Triple product nTτ
  5. 1.5Q gain and ignition
  6. 1.6Bremsstrahlung losses
  7. 1.7Alpha-particle heating
  8. 1.8Energy balance of a plant
  9. 1.9Two routes: confine or compress
  10. 1.10Workshop: triple product calculation for ITER and NIF
  1. 2.1Particle motion in magnetic fields
  2. 2.2Drifts and toroidal confinement
  3. 2.3Tokamak: configuration and parameters
  4. 2.4Stellarator: configuration and advantages
  5. 2.5Neoclassical and turbulent transport
  6. 2.6Energy confinement time scaling
  7. 2.7H-mode and pedestal
  8. 2.8NBI and radiofrequency heating
  9. 2.9Major machines: JET, JT-60SA, ITER and W7-X
  10. 2.10Practice: IPB98 confinement time scaling
  1. 3.1Compression and heating of a capsule
  2. 3.2Direct versus indirect drive
  3. 3.3Hohlraum and X-ray radiation
  4. 3.4Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities
  5. 3.5Hot-spot ignition
  6. 3.6Fast and shock ignition
  7. 3.7High-energy lasers
  8. 3.8Facilities: NIF, LMJ and Omega
  9. 3.9NIF ignition in December 2022
  10. 3.10Case study: analysis of the 2022 NIF shot
  1. 4.1Physics gain versus engineering gain
  2. 4.2Driver efficiency and repetition rate
  3. 4.3Materials and neutron loading
  4. 4.4First wall and thermal management
  5. 4.5Tritium breeding in both approaches
  6. 4.6Fuel cycle and targets
  7. 4.7Hybrid and magnetoinertial concepts
  8. 4.8Z-pinch and pulsed fusion
  9. 4.9Comparative technology readiness levels (TRL)
  10. 4.10Workshop: performance comparison table
  1. 5.1EUROfusion European roadmap
  2. 5.2IFE programmes in the United States
  3. 5.3Fusion start-ups: CFS, Helion, TAE
  4. 5.4Levelised cost of fusion electricity
  5. 5.5Emerging regulatory framework
  6. 5.6Key technical risks
  7. 5.7Realistic timelines towards DEMO
  8. 5.8Fusion in the energy mix
  9. 5.9Public and private funding
  10. 5.10Case study: evaluating a fusion start-up
  1. 6.1Defining comparison criteria
  2. 6.2Selecting concepts to evaluate
  3. 6.3Gathering design parameters
  4. 6.4Power balance of each concept
  5. 6.5Analysis of technological challenges
  6. 6.6Multi-criteria assessment
  7. 6.7Sensitivity analysis
  8. 6.8Conclusions and recommendation
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it easy to combine with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Python (NumPy), MATLAB, FLASH (radiative hydrodynamics), ASTRA, advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for Lawson criterion calculations, comparative performance studies of facilities and economic analyses of fusion plants. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrative project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-oriented final project:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operating limits.
Industry mentoring:lecturers with a track record in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:safety-by-design approach, cyber-OT, DIH and compliance as its pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Defining comparison criteria

Explain the ignition conditions and the Lawson criterion.

Selecting concepts to evaluate

Describe the principles of magnetic confinement in tokamaks and stellarators.

Gathering design parameters

Describe the principles of laser inertial confinement.

Power balance of each concept

Compare the technological status of both routes.

Analysis of technological challenges

Assess the materials, energy and operational challenges of each approach.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Fusion technology analystPlasma physics researcherFusion systems engineerEnergy strategy consultantFusion R&D programme managerSpecialist science communicator
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior degree is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.

You work with Python (NumPy), MATLAB, FLASH (radiative hydrodynamics), ASTRA and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the open-source alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.

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