Steven Sabbagh

Steven Sabbagh

Adjunct Professor & Senior Research Scientist

Research Interests

  • Plasma Physics
  • Experimental MHD Equilibrium Reconstruction and Stability Analysis
  • Passive and Active Global MHD Mode Stabilization Physics
  • Plasma Rotation Control by 3D Fields in Toroidal Devices

Additional Information

  • Education

    Ph.D. - Columbia University (Dept. of Applied Physics), May, 1990
    Thesis: "Identification of, and Transition to, the Second Region of Ideal MHD Stability in Tokamaks"

    M.Phil. - Columbia University (Dept. of Applied Physics), May 1988

    M.S. - Columbia University (Dept. of Applied Physics), May 1985

    B.S. - Columbia University (Dept. of Applied Physics), May 1984

  • Professional Experience

    Adjunct Professor, Sep 2000 - Present
    Senior Research Scientist, May 1999 – Present
    Columbia University Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics

    - Direct and organize a collaboration (2-3 physicists; student(s)) between Columbia University and the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) as a principal investigator for research on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) plasma stability on the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) and the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) – (Located full-time at PPPL).

    - Conduct experiments involving equilibrium development, the physics of MHD stability and non-axisymmetric field-induced plasma viscosity, and passive/active stabilization of global MHD modes on NSTX and KSTAR comparing theory to experiment, optimizing device performance.

    - Develop and implement an advanced RWM controller for NSTX, incorporating ideal MHD plasma eigenfunctions and stable conducting wall states.

    - Develop and implement automated, time-evolved equilibrium reconstruction and stability analysis used in NSTX and KSTAR research. Distribute results to the entire NSTX Research Team in a common format.

    - Directed and advised a student performing doctoral research on NSTX (Ph.D. granted 2008).

    - Coordinate the NSTX Experimental run campaign (Run coordinator 2011 - ).

    - Led the NSTX Macroscopic Stability topical science group (leader 2007 - 2011).

    - Serving as NSTX Deputy Run Coordinator (2010).

    - Led the NSTX MHD Stability experimental task group (leader 2006 - 2007).

    - Served as NSTX Deputy Run Coordinator (2005-2006).

    - Led the NSTX MHD Stability experimental task group (co-leader 2005).

    - Led the NSTX Global Mode Stabilization working group (leader 2002 - 2006).

    - Led the NSTX MHD Stability experimental task group (leader 2003 - 2004).

    - Led the NSTX Integrated Concepts experimental task group (co-leader 2001 - 2002).

    - Led the NSTX MHD Stability experimental task group (leader 2000 - 2001).

    - Led the NSTX Ohmic Optimization experimental task group (co-leader 1999-2000).

    Research Scientist, May 1993 – April 1999
    Associate Research Scientist, May 1990 - April 1993
    Columbia University Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics

    - Directed and organized a collaboration between Columbia U., PPPL, and MIT to conduct enhanced performance plasma experiments on the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR).

    - Led the MHD Stability Topical Group - one of four TFTR topical groups (1996-1997).

    - Led experiments on TFTR involving plasma equilibrium profile modification after successfully preparing and defending experimental proposals presented to the TFTR Task Force Council.

    - Analyzed experimental data from the TFTR experiment to study the plasma stability properties and create new techniques to improve stability in the actual experiment.

    - Established a system of tokamak plasma analysis codes in a networked UNIX environment.

    - Participated in fusion experiments at JAERI, Naka, Japan (JT-60U tokamak device), and General Atomics, San Diego, CA (DIII-D tokamak device).

     

    Professional Activities
     

    • Leader - International Tokamak Physics Activity MHD group joint experimental research task - RWM stabilization physics research (MDC-2) (2011 - )

    • Co-leader - International Tokamak Physics Activity MHD group working group task - RWM active control research (WG7) (2011 - )

    • Panel Leader - U.S. Department of Energy Research Needs Workshop activity (ReNeW) - Spherical Torus Panel (2009)

    • Member - American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics Publication Committee (2009 - )

    • Member - U.S. Department of Energy International Collaborations Coordinating Committee (2008- )

    • U.S. Representative - International Tokamak Physics Activity (ITPA) MHD Stability Group (2008- )

    • Member - U.S. Department of Energy Spherical Torus Coordinating Committee – university non-diagnostic collaboration group representative (2007 - )

    • Review committee member – DIII-D Program Advisory Committee (General Atomics, San Diego, CA 2/15/05-2/17/05; 1/31/06-2/2/06; 1/30/07-2/1/07 (three year appointment).

    • Review committee member – FESAC Facilities Assessment Panel (Washington, DC 6/13-17/05)

    • Review committee member – DIII-D National Fusion Program Five Year Plan Review 2003-2008 (General Atomics, San Diego, CA 4/22-24/04.

    • Member of 5 person scientific delegation to USSR on an official US-USSR scientific exchange visit to the Kurchatov Institute (Moscow), Troitsk Institute (Troitsk), and Ioffe Institute (St. Petersburg) 9/15-28/91.

  • Honors & Awards
    • Fellow - American Physical Society (2010)
    • Nuclear Fusion Award - International Atomic Energy Agency (2009)
    • Graduate Scholarship Award - IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society (1988)
    • Honorable Mention - U.S. D.O.E. Magnetic Fusion Science Fellowship program (1985)
    • Invited member - Sigma Xi scientific research honor society
    • Invited member - Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society
    • American Physical Society - 1990-present
  • Select Publications

    "Advances in Global MHD Mode Stabilization Research on NSTX", S.A. Sabbagh, J.W. Berkery, R.E. Bell, et al., 22nd IAEA Fusion Energy Conference, Geneva, Switzerland, 13-18 October 2008, paper EX/5-1; Nucl. Fusion. 50 (2010) 025020.

    "Resistive Wall Mode Instability at Intermediate Plasma Rotation", J.W. Berkery, S.A. Sabbagh, R. Betti, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 104 (2010) 035003.

    "The Role of Kinetic Effects, Including Plasma Rotation and Energetic Particles, in Resistive Wall Mode Stability", J.W. Berkery, S.A. Sabbagh, H. Reimerdes, et al., Phys. Plasmas 17 (2010) 082504.

    "An approximate analytic expression for neoclassical toroidal plasma viscosity in tokamaks" K.C. Shaing, S.A. Sabbagh, and M.S. Chu, Nucl. Fusion 50 (2010) 025022.

    "Neoclassical toroidal plasma viscosity in the superbanana plateau regime for tokamaks", K.C. Shaing, S.A. Sabbagh, and M.S. Chu, Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 51 (2009) 035009.