SUMTRAIC is a 2-week experimental SUMmer TRAIning Course in plasma physics and, in particular, in magnetic confinement fusion devices (tokamaks). It is organised annually at the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Czech Republic (IPP CAS) in Prague.

What will I do there?
The centre of gravity of this school lays in the direct involvement of the participants in the processing and analysis of experimental data from the COMPASS tokamak or even in the participation in the experiments, when compatible with the experimental program. Due to the decommissioning of COMPASS, there will be no experiments this year.

• Only one day will be devoted to lectures (how to access data, introduction to the COMPASS tokamak, python lecture...)
• The rest of the time, you will be paired in a group and supervised by one scientist. You will work on a real and relevant scientific topic.
• You will have to present your 2-week work the last day of the event in a 10 / 15 min presentation, followed by questions from the audience

→ You will get a full experience of what a scientist in nuclear fusion does
 

A word about the tokamaks at the IPP?
Previously  operated at the IPP, the COMPASS tokamak was one of the leading devices among smaller tokamaks, with an experimental program focused on plasma-wall interaction, edge plasma physics, H-mode and runaway electrons. The tokamak was decommissioned in 2021 but the 10-years extensive database will allow students to work on real experimental data. See here for more information on the COMPASS device.

Nowadays, a new tokamak, called COMPASS Upgrade, is being designed and manufactured at the IPP Prague. It will enable cutting edge research and high power (10 MW) and magnetic field (5 T) plasma scenarios are foreseen. Topics on studies and simulations related to this forthcoming device might be proposed to students. See here for more information on the COMPASS Upgrade device.
 

When is it?
This year, SUMTRAIC will be organised from August 28th to September 8th and will be focused on data analysis related to the latest research topics investigated at the IPP Prague.
Deadline for application is June 4th and applicants can expect an answer around mid-June.

Cost?

• Accommodation of participants is covered by the IPP of Prague
• A symbolic fee to cover the administrative expenses is set to 70€ per student.
• Traveling expenses to Prague is up to the participants.
   

How to apply?
Applicants are requested to provide a CV, a cover letter and a reference letter. Both the CV and the cover letter should reflect their knowledge about plasma physics and fusion, their level in English, their skills in programming, which programming languages they know and their motivation to participate to the event. Applicants are referred to the information page for more details.