S. Ratynskaia

This doctoral project at KTH Royal Institute of Technology addresses a key challenge in fusion energy: how to understand and predict damage to plasma-facing components under extreme conditions. The work focuses on plasma-facing components (PFCs) exposed to runaway electrons, a disruption-related phenomenon that can threaten reactor components and reduce lifetime. The PhD student will develop modelling tools for simulating runaway-electron-induced damage and validate them against experimental evidence from the EUROfusion Consortium and DIII-D in the USA. The validated models will then be used for predictive studies of specific ITER scenarios, in collaboration with input from the ITER Organization. Research activities combine several computational approaches. The project includes Monte Carlo simulations of MeV runaway-electron energy deposition in materials, followed by thermomechanical modelling to study deformation and possible material explosion using FEM and CFD software. The topic sits at the intersection of plasma-surface interactions, electron transport into matter, and engineering analysis of fusion-relevant materials. The project is embedded in an environment with access to experimental data from major tokamaks worldwide and close collaboration with the Experiments & Plasma Operation Section of the ITER Organization. Supervision is listed with Prof. S. Ratynskaia.