Atomic Structure Studies Using Fusion Plasmas

Atomic spectroscopy plays an important role in fusion research and extensive knowledge of atomic parameters is needed for plasma diagnostics. However, a magnetically confined hot plasma can be considered as a spectroscopic fight source which has some unique properties, including high temperature and low density. Fusion devices can therefore be used to tackle problems in basic atomic physics. This paper reviews the contributions to the structure of atomic ions, which have been obtained by the spectroscopy of fusion plasmas. Studies of highly charged ions, forbidden transitions, QED effects and connections between solar physics and fusion plasma physics will be discussed.