Arseniy Kuzmin

Experimental Physicist – Plasma–Surface Interactions & Spectroscopy

Physicist and experimentalist with extensive experience in plasma–surface interactions, spectroscopy, and hands-on development of diagnostics and control systems. Passionate about integrating hardware, software, and science to create robust, insightful experiments.

Capabilities

Plasma-facing materials & fusion devices

Hydrogen retention, impurity transport, wall-interaction studies, and TDS / spectroscopy diagnostics on QUEST, LHD, and Tore Supra.

Spectroscopy & molecular diagnostics

Atomic and molecular spectroscopy (VUV, LIBS, Raman), including BH, H₂, and C emission analysis with CR models for H and He.

Experimental systems & diagnostics

Mechanical design and integration of plasma, vacuum, optical, control, and diagnostic systems from concept through working instruments.

Teaching & Mentoring

Undergraduate physics teaching, research mentoring, student-built instruments, and Kyoto University students presenting at conferences.

Toolbox: code/data · modeling · DAQ/control · CAD/mechanical design

Code/data: Python/Jupyter NumPy/SciPy pandas matplotlib xarray/NetCDF Git

Modeling: TMAP7/8 FESTIM MCNP SRIM/TRIM CR models

DAQ/control: Raspberry Pi ESP32 NI tools PyQt/Flask UIs KiCad

Design: Inventor SolidWorks Fusion 360 vacuum/plasma/spectroscopy hardware integration

Education

MEPhI, Moscow

Ph.D. in Plasma Physics: Plasma-Surface Interactions National Research Nuclear University MEPhI 05/2008 - 01/2012

Physical processes of oxygen depletion from plasma facing materials by hydrogen plasma treatment

National Research Nuclear University MEPhI

Moscow, Russia

Master of Science in Nuclear and Particle Physics: Plasma Physics National Research Nuclear University MEPhI 09/2002 - 04/2008

Analysis of hydrogen isotope retention in Tore Supra tokamak tiles

National Research Nuclear University MEPhI

Moscow, Russia

Experience

2006 - present

Senior Lecturer Kyoto University / Kyoto, Japan 12/2018 - Present 7y 7m

Kyoto University (Kyoto, Japan)

Research on hydrogen interaction with materials and surface analysis using laser-based diagnostics. Supervising students and teaching undergraduate physics. Collaborating with Kyushu Univ. and NIFS. Full project: Hydrogen Getter Films.

Research Fellow National Institute for Fusion Science / Toki, Gifu, Japan 04/2017 - 11/2018 1y 7m

National Institute for Fusion Science (Toki, Gifu, Japan)

Studied impurity flows in the edge plasma of the Large Helical Device using a high-resolution Echelle spectrometer. Developed a custom Python tool to process raw spectrometer images. Analyzed molecular hydrogen emission and isotope effects on carbon transport.

Research Fellow Kyushu University, RIAM, QUEST tokamak / Kasuga, Fukuoka, Japan 06/2013 - 03/2017 3y 9m

Kyushu University, RIAM, QUEST tokamak (Kasuga, Fukuoka, Japan)

Developed a novel permeation probe to measure atomic hydrogen flux to fusion device walls. Applied it in the QUEST tokamak to study gas balance and discovered significant hydrogen retention at far wall locations shielded from direct plasma exposure.

Leading Scientist Scientific Research Institute of Technical Physics and Automation (OAO NIITFA) / Moscow, Russia 10/2012 - 05/2013 7m

Scientific Research Institute of Technical Physics and Automation (OAO NIITFA) (Moscow, Russia)

Developed and patented a novel radiographic filter that enhances resolution in non-destructive inspection. Now implemented in the production of fission reactor fuel assemblies.

Researcher National Research Nuclear University MEPhI / Moscow, Russia 04/2008 - 09/2012 4y 5m

National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow, Russia)

Collaborated with the Tore Supra team to improve glow-discharge cleaning for tokamak operation. Proposed a new scenario that significantly increased efficiency and reduced cleaning time. Designed a multi-species deposition device for tungsten-carbon thin films, later upgraded for safe boron-carbon film deposition. My prototype informed the development of an advanced system used to optimize boronization for the ITER project.

Research Engineer National Research Nuclear University MEPhI / Moscow, Russia 03/2006 - 03/2008 2y

National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow, Russia)

Earned my M.Sc. and Ph.D. while working in this lab, gaining hands-on experience with vacuum and plasma systems. Investigated hydrogen retention in plasma-facing components of the Tore Supra tokamak. Found significantly higher retention in in-vessel graphite tiles compared to lab-exposed samples, identifying the amorphous surface layer as the main retention site. Later contract work revealed that trace oxygen in the gas mix dramatically increases hydrogen retention.