October 28, 2026

Ruben Otin | Research

Ruben Otin

Computational physicist at UK Atomic Energy Authority

I develop numerical methods and open-source software for computational electromagnetics and plasma physics, and apply them to the design and operation of fusion reactors. My main tool is ERMES, a finite element code for Maxwell’s equations. It has been used to model radiofrequency heating, plasma control and electromagnetic loads for JET, MAST Upgrade, ITER and STEP, and continues to be developed for the next generation of fusion reactors.

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Portrait of Ruben Otin

UK Atomic Energy Authority
Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

Cross-section of a tokamak plasma, with nested magnetic flux surfaces and a microwave beam launched from an antenna on the outboard side antenna flux surfaces wave beam

What I work on

  • RF waves in fusion plasmas

    Fusion plasmas are heated and probed with radio waves and microwaves launched from antennas. Full-wave simulations show how these waves couple into the plasma, convert from one mode to another and interact with the vessel walls. Recent work validates ERMES against the A2 ion cyclotron antennas of JET and the electron Bernstein wave system of MAST Upgrade.

    See related articles

  • Electromagnetic loads and plasma control

    A disrupting plasma induces large currents, and therefore forces, in the structures around it. I develop methods to compute these loads, to reconstruct them from measurements for ITER, and to model plasma control for machines such as STEP.

    See related articles

  • Finite element methods

    Underneath all of this are finite element formulations designed to give well-conditioned matrices: from the regularized Maxwell equations with nodal elements of my Ph.D. to the stabilized edge element and local L2 projection formulations of ERMES 20.0, solved in parallel with PETSc.

    See related articles

  • Electrical protection and failure analysis

    Electric risk assessments for MAST Upgrade and JET, root-cause analyses of failed coils and magnetic sensors, and models of quench-induced arcs in the superconducting magnets of ITER.

    See related articles

  • Beyond fusion

    As an external consultant I keep working on electromagnetic compatibility, cable shielding and human exposure to electromagnetic fields, with partners such as NAFEMS, Armasuisse, OQC, CIMNE and A*STAR.

    See related articles

Career

  1. 2014 to present

    UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)

    Fusion engineering projects for JET, ITER, DEMO, MAST Upgrade and STEP. The work covers the design of software tools for plasma control modelling and analysis, new methods for computing electromagnetic loads, and inverse reconstruction algorithms for ITER monitoring systems.

    It also includes electric risk assessment and protection modelling for MAST Upgrade and JET, failure analyses and new design proposals for JET, the modelling of superconducting magnet quenches and induced electric arcs for ITER, and the development of a finite element tool for wave, plasma and wall interactions.

    Participation in JET experimental campaigns as Plasma Duty Officer (real-time control networks), High-Frequency Pellet Injector operator and ICRH antenna pilot.

  2. 2002 to 2014

    International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE)

    European and national projects on novel finite element formulations and software, bioelectromagnetics, electromagnetic compatibility, cable design and optimisation, electromagnetic forming, and antenna and microwave engineering.

  3. Before 2002

    Software developer, private sector

Education

Ph.D. in Physics
Polytechnic University of Catalonia

M.Sc. in Physics
University of Zaragoza

Profiles and contact

Google Scholar ORCID ResearchGate GitHub

For collaborations or questions about ERMES, email ruben.otin.bcn@gmail.com.

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Ruben Otin | Articles

Articles

2026

  1. Fusion devicesRF waves in plasmaNumerical methods & software

    Validation of ERMES 20.0 finite element code for MAST Upgrade O-X mode conversion

    R. Otin, Y. H. M. Liang, T. Wilson, S. Freethy, and V. Hall-Chen

    EPJ Web of Conferences, Vol. 346, 01009, 2026

    EPJ Preprint
  2. Fusion devicesRF waves in plasmaNumerical methods & software

    Validation of ERMES 20.0 finite element code for JET A2 antennas coupling studies

    R. Otin, D. Milanesio, P. Jacquet, and I. Monakhov

    EPJ Web of Conferences, Vol. 346, 01027, 2026

    EPJ Preprint

2025

  1. Numerical methods & softwareBioelectromagnetics

    Computational human skin model for 5G electromagnetic field exposure studies

    R. Otin, E. Soudah, G. Chirico, F. Schettino, and N. Betzalel

    2025 IEEE International Workshop on Electromagnetics: Applications and Student Innovation Competition (iWEM), pp. 41-44, 2025

    IEEE Preprint
  2. Numerical methods & software

    ERMES 20.0: Open-source finite element tool for computational electromagnetics in the frequency domain

    R. Otin

    Computer Physics Communications, Vol. 310, 109521, 2025

    CPC Preprint

2024

  1. Fusion devices

    Controlling a new plasma regime

    M. Lennholm, S. Aleiferis, S. Bakes, … R. Otin, …show all 21 authors M. Lennholm, S. Aleiferis, S. Bakes, O. P. Bardsley, M. van Berkel, F. J. Casson, F. Chaudry, N. J. Conway, T. C. Hender, S. S. Henderson, B. Kool, M. Lafferty, H. F. Meyer, J. Mitchell, A. Mitra, R. Osawa, R. Otin , A. Parrot, T. Thompson, G. Xia, and the STEP Team

    Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, Vol. 382, 20230403, 2024

    PTRS
  2. Fusion devices

    Plasma control for the STEP prototype power plant

    M. Lennholm, S. Aleiferis, S. Bakes, … R. Otin, …show all 22 authors M. Lennholm, S. Aleiferis, S. Bakes, O.P. Bardsley, M. van Berkel, F.J. Casson, F. Chaudry, N.J. Conway, T.C. Hender, S.S. Henderson, A. Hudoba, B. Kool, M. Lafferty, H. Meyer, J. Mitchell, A. Mitra, R. Osawa, R. Otin , A. Parrott, T. Thompson, G. Xia, and the STEP Team

    Nuclear Fusion, Vol. 64, 096036, 2024

    NF
  3. Fusion devicesRF waves in plasma

    ICRH-related impurity source and control across experiments in H, D, T plasmas at JET-ILW

    A. Chomiczewska, W. Gromelski, I. Ivanova-Stanik, … R. Otin, …show all 26 authors A. Chomiczewska, W. Gromelski, I. Ivanova-Stanik, E. Kowalska-Strzęciwilk, N. Wendler, P. Jacquet, A. Meigs, J. Mailloux, S. Menmuir, J. Karhunen, E. Lerche, I. Monakhov, R. Otin , B. Thomas, P. Dumortier, D. Van Eester, M. Barruzo, V. Bobkov, S. Brezinsek, L. Colas, D. Douai, D. Milanesio, E. Pawelec, E. Delabie, B. Lomanowski, and JET Contributors

    Nuclear Fusion, Vol. 64, 076058, 2024

    NF
  4. Fusion devices

    Overview of the EUROfusion Tokamak Exploitation programme in support of ITER and DEMO

    E. Joffrin et al

    Nuclear Fusion, Vol. 64, 112019, 2024

    NF
  5. Fusion devices

    Overview of T and D–T results in JET with ITER-like wall

    C.F. Maggi et al

    Nuclear Fusion, Vol. 64, 112012, 2024

    NF

2023

  1. Fusion devicesRF waves in plasma

    RF power as key contributor to high performance "baseline" scenario experiments in JET DD and DT plasmas in preparation for ITER

    D. Van Eester, D. Frigione, L. Garzotti, … R. Otin, …show all 52 authors D. Van Eester, D. Frigione, L. Garzotti, P. Lomas, C. Lowry, F. Rimini, S. Aleiferis, A. Alessi, F. Auriemma, M. Baruzzo, A. Boboc, I. Carvalho, A. Chomiczewska, E. de la Luna, M. Dreval, D. Ferreira, J. Ferreira, A. R. Field, L. Frassinetti, J. Garcia, L. Horvath, Ph. Huynh, P. Jacquet, T. Johnson, D. King, V. Kiptily, K. Kirov, M. Lennholm, E. Lerche, C. Maggi, J. Mailloux, S. Menhuir, I. Monakhov, S. Nowak, R. Otin , A. Patel, L. Piron, G. Pucella, C. Reux, O. Sauter, P. Siren, E. Solano, Z. Stancar, G. Stankunas, C. Stuart, H. J. Sun, G. Telesca, D. Valcarcel, M. Valovic, V. Zotta, JET contributors, and EUROfusion-IM team

    AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 2984, 030004, 2023

    AIP
  2. Fusion devicesRF waves in plasma

    ICRH operations and experiments during the JET-ILW tritium and DTE2 campaigns

    P. Jacquet, E. Lerche, M. Mantsinen, … R. Otin, …show all 60 authors P. Jacquet, E. Lerche, M. Mantsinen, D. Van Eester, K. Kirov, P. Mantica, D. Gallart, D. Taylor, Y. Kazakov, I. Monakhov, C. Noble, P. Dumortier, H. Sheikh, C. Challis, J. Hobirk, A. Kappatou, M. Maslov, D. King, D. Keeling, F. Rimini, D. Frigione, L. Garzotti, P. Lomas, C. Lowry, I. Carvalho, M. Baruzzo, C. Reux, M. Lenholm, R. Henriques, E. de la Luna, J. Mailloux, C. Maggi, J. Garcia, A. Chomiczewska, W. Gromelski, V. Bobkov, D. Milanesio, L. Colas, W. Tierens, R. Otin , C. Klepper, E. Delabie, R. Dumont, J. Eriksson, V. Kiptily, S. Menmuir, M. Nocente, A. Patel, G. Pucella, D. Rigamonti, M. Tardochi, S. Silburn, P. Siren, E. Solano, Z. Stancar, M. Valisa, D. Douai, D. Matveev, T. Wauters, and JET contributors

    AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 2984, 030003, 2023

    AIP
  3. Fusion devices

    Remote infrared view of JET divertor compatible with D-T operations

    I.Balboa, E. Rose, G. F. Matthews, … R. Otin, …show all 39 authors I.Balboa, E. Rose, G. F. Matthews, D. Croft, M. F. Stamp, S. A. Silburn, J. C. Williams, D. Hepple, A. Huber, S. Whetham, D. Iglesias, D. J. Kinna, M. Beldishevski, J. Figueiredo, C. Perez Von Thun, N. Balshaw, L. D. Horton, R. C. Lobel, I. J. Pearson, K. W. Pepperell, G. Fishpool, B. Lane, K-D. Zastrow, G. Arnoux, G. Bodnar, P. Carman, P. Carvalho, N. J. Conway, V. Huber, J. Karhunen, G. Kocsis, A. Manzanares, P. Puglia, C. Ruiz de Galarreta, C. Marren, R. Otin , J. Naish, V. K. Thompson, and JET Contributors

    Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, Vol. 65 (9), 094002, 2023

    PPCF
  4. Bioelectromagnetics

    NextGEM: Next-Generation Integrated Sensing and Analytical System for Monitoring and Assessing Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure and Health

    N. Petroulakis, M.-O. Mattsson, P. Chatziadam, … R. Otin, …show all 34 authors N. Petroulakis, M.-O. Mattsson, P. Chatziadam, M. Simko, A. Gavrielides, A. M. Yiorkas, O. Zeni, M. R. Scarfi, E. Soudah, R. Otin , F. Schettino, M. D. Migliore, A. Miaoudakis, G. Spanoudakis, J. Bolte, E. Korkmaz, V. Theodorou, E. Zarogianni, S. Lagorio, M. Biffoni, A. Schiavoni, M. R. Boldi, Y. Feldman, I. Bilik, A. Laromaine, M. Gich, M. Spirito, M. Ledent, S. Segers, F. Vargas, L. Colussi, M. Pruppers, D. Baaken, and A. Bogdanova

    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol. 20 (12), 6085, 2023

    IJERPH
  5. Fusion devices

    Remote wide angle view broad wavelength viewing system compatible with D-T operations in JET

    I. Balboa, E. Rose, G. F. Matthews, … R. Otin, …show all 40 authors I. Balboa, E. Rose, G. F. Matthews, D. Croft, M. Stamp, S. A. Silburn, J. C. Williams, D. Hepple, A. Huber, S. Whetham, D. Iglesias, D. J. Kinna, M. Beldishevski, J. Figueiredo, C. Perez Von Thun, G. Jones, N. Balshaw, L. D. Horton, R. C. Lobel, I. J. Pearson, K. W. Pepperell, G. Fishpool, B. Lane, K. D. Zastrow, G. Arnoux, G. Bodnar, P. Carman, P. Carvalho, N. J. Conway, N. Gupta, V. Huber, G. Kocsis, A. Manzanares, P. Puglia, C. Ruiz de Galarreta, C. Marren, R. Otin , J. Naish, V. K. Thompson, and JET Contributors

    Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, Vol. 65 (6), 064005, 2023

    PPCF

2022

  1. Fusion devices

    Overview of JET results for optimising ITER operation

    J. Mailloux et al

    Nuclear Fusion, Vol. 62 (4), 042026, 2022

    NF

2020

  1. Numerical methods & software

    Enabling validated exascale nuclear science

    A. Davis, A. Dubas and R. Otin

    EPJ Web of Conferences, Vol. 245, 09001, 2020

    EPJ
  2. Fusion devicesRF waves in plasmaNumerical methods & software

    Full wave simulation of RF waves in cold plasma with the stabilized open-source finite element tool ERMES

    R. Otin, W. Tierens, F. Parra, …show all 10 authors R. Otin , W. Tierens, F. Parra, S. Aria, E. Lerche, P. Jacquet, I. Monakhov, P. Dumortier, B. Van Compernolle, and JET Contributors

    AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 2254, 050009, 2020

    AIP
  3. RF waves in plasma

    Recent improvements to the ICRF antenna coupling code RAPLICASOL

    W. Tierens, G. Suarez-Lopez, R. Otin, …show all 9 authors W. Tierens, G. Suarez-Lopez, R. Otin , G. Urbanczyk, L. Colas, R. Bilato, W. Zhang, V. Bobkov, and J.-M. Noterdaeme

    AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 2254, 070005, 2020

    AIP
  4. Fusion devicesNumerical methods & software

    Computational electromagnetics for nuclear fusion engineering and design

    R. Otin, S. Aria, V. Thompson, R. Lobel, J. C. Williams, Z. Vizvary, D. Iglesias, and M. Porton

    NAFEMS Benchmark Magazine, January 2020

    NAFEMS Preprint
  5. Fusion devices

    Fault analysis and improved design of JET in-vessel Mirnov coils

    M. Baruzzo, G. Artaserse, R. B. Henriques, … R. Otin, …show all 11 authors M. Baruzzo, G. Artaserse, R. B. Henriques, S. Gerasimov, N. Lam, P. J. Lomas, R. Otin , F. Rimini, M. Tsalas, S. Van Boxel, and JET Contributors

    Fusion Engineering and Design, Vol. 150, 110863, 2020

    FEAD

2019

  1. Fusion devices

    Overview of the JET preparation for deuterium–tritium operation with the ITER like-wall

    E. Joffrin et al

    Nuclear Fusion, Vol. 59 (11), pp. 1-25, 2019

    IOP
  2. Fusion devices

    Testing of a high temperature radiatively cooled Li/Ta heat pipe in Magnum-PSI

    G. F. Matthews, R. E. Nygren, T. W. Morgan, S. A. Silburn, P. R. Cooper, R. Otin, A. Tallarigo, and the Magnum-PSI Team

    Fusion Engineering and Design, Vol. 146 (A), pp. 482-485, 2019

    FEAD

2017

  1. Fusion devices

    Overview of the JET results in support to ITER

    X. Litaudon et al

    Nuclear Fusion, Vol. 57 (10), pp. 1-41, 2017

    IOP

2015

  1. Numerical methods & softwareElectromagnetic compatibility

    A finite element tool for the electromagnetic analysis of braided cable shields

    R. Otin, J. Verpoorte, H. Schippers, and R. Isanta

    Computer Physics Communications, Vol. 191 (1), pp. 209-220, 2015

    CPC Preprint

2014

  1. Metal forming

    A frequency domain approach for computing the Lorentz force in electromagnetic metal forming

    R. Otin, R. Mendez, and O. Fruitos

    International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, Vol. 46 (1), pp. 125-142, 2014

    IJAEM Preprint

2013

  1. Numerical methods & software

    ERMES: A nodal-based finite element code for electromagnetic simulations in frequency domain

    R. Otin

    Computer Physics Communications, Vol. 184 (11), pp. 2588-2595, 2013

    CPC Preprint
  2. Numerical methods & softwareMetal forming

    A numerical model for the search of the optimum frequency in electromagnetic metal forming

    R. Otin

    International Journal of Solids and Structures, Vol. 50 (10), pp. 1605-1612, 2013

    IJSS Preprint
  3. Numerical methods & software

    Computational performance of a weighted regularized Maxwell equation finite element formulation

    R. Otin, L. E. García-Castillo, I. Martínez-Fernández, and D. García-Doñoro

    Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 136, pp. 61-77, 2013

    PIER

2012

  1. Numerical methods & softwareBioelectromagnetics

    Specific absorption rate computations with a nodal-based finite element formulation

    R. Otin and H. Gromat

    Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 128, pp. 399-418, 2012

    PIER

2011

  1. Bioelectromagnetics

    Numerical study of the thermal effects induced by a RFID antenna in vials of blood plasma

    R. Otin

    Progress In Electromagnetics Research Letters, Vol. 22, pp. 129-138, 2011

    PIERL Preprint
  2. Numerical methods & softwareElectromagnetic compatibility

    A finite element model for the computation of the transfer impedance of cable shields

    R. Otin, J. Verpoorte, and H. Schippers

    IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Vol. 53 (4), pp. 950-958, 2011

    IEEE Preprint
  3. Numerical methods & softwareMetal forming

    A numerical model for the search of the optimum capacitance in electromagnetic metal forming

    R. Otin, R. Mendez, and O. Fruitos

    AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1383, 935, 2011

    AIP Preprint
  4. Electromagnetic compatibility

    Electromagnetic analysis of metal braids

    H. Schippers, J. Verpoorte, and R. Otin

    IEEE 10th International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility, pp. 543-548, 2011

    IEEE Preprint

2010

  1. Numerical methods & software

    Regularized Maxwell equations and nodal finite elements for electromagnetic field computations

    R. Otin

    Electromagnetics, Vol. 30 (1-2), pp. 190-204, 2010

    EM Preprint

2006

  1. Numerical methods & software

    Open tools for electromagnetic simulation programs

    J. Mora, R. Otin, P. Dadvand, E. Escolano, M. A. Pasenau, and E. Oñate

    The International Journal for Computation and Mathematics in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Vol. 25 (3), pp. 551-564, 2006

    COMPEL

2005

  1. Numerical methods & software

    EMANT: integration of GiD and Kratos, open and flexible computational tools

    R. Otin, J. Mora, and E. Oñate

    IEEE/ACES International Conference on Wireless Communications and Applied Computational Electromagnetics, pp. 883-886, 2005

    IEEE Preprint

Thesis

  1. Regularized Maxwell equations and nodal finite elements for electromagnetic field computations in frequency domain

    R. Otin

    Ph.D. thesis, Polytechnic University of Catalonia. ISBN: 978-84-89925-03-8, Ed. CIMNE, Barcelona (Spain), 2011

    Introduces the regularized Maxwell equation method with nodal finite elements, the formulation behind the first versions of ERMES.

    PDF
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