| As part of his final year project at the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS), Eduard Wikarta (Year 4, PHMS) delved into the complex world of plasma physics and computational diagnostics. His project focused on simulating how microwave beams interact with turbulent plasma in fusion reactors – work that contributes to the broader goal of harnessing nuclear fusion as a clean energy source. Eduard Wikarta, Year 4, Physics and Mathematical Sciences Supervisors: Asst. Prof. Qu Zhisong, Prof. Xavier Garbet and Dr. Valerian Hall-Chen. |
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What’s your project about – in a nutshell?
Nuclear fusion is often hailed as the future of clean energy, but sustaining the hot, dense plasma required for fusion reactions remains a key challenge. Turbulence in the plasma causes energy to leak, undermining stability. One way to measure and understand this turbulence is through a diagnostic technique called Doppler Backscattering. This involves launching microwaves into the plasma and measuring how they scatter off turbulent structures.
For my project, I developed and extended a Python codebase called Scotty, enabling it to simulate how these waves propagate through plasma in complex geometries—specifically, stellarators. This simulation helps estimate the power of the backscattered wave and gives us valuable insight into the underlying turbulent processes. Ultimately, the goal is to apply this to data from the TJ-II stellarator in Spain in collaboration with researchers abroad.
What sparked the idea for this project?
I’ve always wanted to contribute meaningfully to the energy sector, and fusion research seemed like the perfect intersection of physics and societal impact. I was also keen on doing something computational. By sheer luck, I came across Dr Valerian Hall-Chen through an A*STAR internship listing, and everything took off from there.
How did your project evolve from idea to outcome?
At the start, I had zero background in plasma physics or its diagnostics. So I dove into the literature, textbooks, and even enrolled in Prof. Xavier Garbet’s PH7027 module to get up to speed. I also leaned heavily on friends in the NTU Plasma Physics Group and A*STAR’s Plasma Diagnostics Group. Writing and testing the code was gruelling—it wasn’t until March that it finally started producing useful results. But once it did, the outcomes were promising and rewarding.
What was a tough/challenging moment, and how did you work through it?
Writing and debugging the code was definitely the most mentally exhausting part. We don’t really get taught how to write collaborative, production-level code or how to manage it on platforms like GitHub. Bugs were constant—sometimes it felt like pest control, squashing one only for two more to appear. Getting through it required sheer determination, late nights, and lots of trial and error.
What was the most fun or satisfying part of doing this project?
The pure joy of finally squashing a major bug is unmatched—but beyond that, the collaborations made the journey incredibly enriching. Being able to discuss ideas with peers and see how my work fit into the bigger picture was both grounding and energising. It truly helped that there were others walking this path alongside me.
One thing you learned – about the topic, or yourself?
Aside from plasma physics and diagnostics, I learned how far grit and a strong support system can take you. There were moments when the challenges felt endless, but the desire to see the project through kept me going—day and night. I’m incredibly grateful to my supervisors, my friends, and my family for being my constant anchors.
Any advice for students starting their own final year project?
Easier said than done, but—don’t procrastinate! If you can start it today, start today.