Abstract
There are various physics issues which the LHD can explore in the research field of transport studies in high temperature plasmas, research for MHD stability in high density and high beta plasma, that are crucial for a future device aimed at nuclear fusion. Physics of the confinement improved mode is discussed with a new paradigm of non-linearity, non-diffusivity and non-locality of the transport. Various MHD modes are observed such as the interchange mode and high energy particle driven modes. Magnetic island physics are intensively studied by applying a perturbation field or by controlling the magnetic shear with NBCD. The LHD also gives opportunities to extend research beyond plasma physics. Research concerning atomic processes such as a test of the collisional-radiative model and energy levels of highly charged heavy ions are also investigated using the plasma in LHD.
