Prof. Sophia Henneberg

Professor Henneberg joined the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE) as an assistant professor in September. Her research focuses on developing, utilizing, and extending optimization tools to identify new, promising stellarator designs, which are a promising path toward fusion energy. Previously, she was the principal investigator of EUROfusion’s Stellarator Optimization Theory, Simulation, Validation, and Verification group. Henneberg received a BS in physics at the Goethe-Universität, an M.A. in physics at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and a Ph.D. in physics at the University of York.

HYBRID WORK: A new class of compact stellarator–tokamak hybrid devices offers the exciting potential to combine the advantages of both stellarators and tokamaks into a single system—providing improved stability (disruption avoidance), steady-state operation, and relatively simple coil configurations. Achieving this hybrid configuration requires adding just one type of stellarator coil to the high-field side, alongside conventional tokamak coils. This approach could also open the door to upgrading existing tokamak facilities.

COIL OPTIMIZATION: One of the defining features in stellarator design is the feasibility of the magnetic coils—ultimately, these are the components that must be physically constructed. Traditionally, stellarator optimization has focused first on achieving desirable plasma properties, as this task is very challenging in its own right. However, developing strategies that improve coil geometry while simultaneously preserving key plasma characteristics is essential for advancing stellarator design.