Page 13 - Demo

b. Plasma is a system of many bodies of charged particles that interact with each other over a long distance via the Coulombic force. In such a scholastic discipline, the science is of more integral (and inductive) rather than analytic (and deductive) nature. Thus, the more we study plasma, the more diversity and complexity the plasma exhibits, in sharp contrast to such a discipline as elementary particle physics in which the number of principles decreases as we study further.
c. Does the current system of plasma fusion research fit with the structural nature of this scientific dicsipline?
d. We notice that key characteristics of academic research are: (i) we start from the most easily solvable problem rather than from the riskiest; (ii) we try to establish our own expertise as quickly as possible in a relatively narrow area and become an authority, i.e. the methodology to deepen the discipline, and ‘polish’ our results to be authoritative for the given field; (iii) by execution of this methodology a particular area that has more influence gets more attention and deeper scrutiny and so reinfocres this cycle. For example, one finds a plasma instabilityàone pursues more detailed research of itàone studies its nonlinear propertiesàmore of its particular behavior, etc. etc. Because more and more detailed studies pop up as one goes further, the single topic can become the sole focus of one’s life-long research quest.
2.2 Can there be another methodology?
If the above existing method cannot achieve the realization of fusion in a relatively short period of time, is there any other approach? With this motivation for an alternative, noteworthy is the recent emergence of fusion research based on the entrepreneurial spirits in North America. What is this method of research? What is the basis for its philosphy and societal attitude? Can we make long-ranged and large-scaled research and development by private funds without federally directed contractual mandates? What can make this possible? I can imagine that such questions may arise as to this alternative. Here I will not talk about generality, but rather try to discuss one aspect I encountered in my own experience and the associated philosophy I ran into.
I left the United States for the period 2002-2011 and passed across Japan and Europe. Upon my return, it occurred to me that the situation of the national research investment in the US had changed drastically for the worse. In the area of high field laser science, in which I was primarily working in Asia and Europe during this period, the US was initially leading the world; now, it was left in the dust of Europe. It was nearly as precarious as in
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