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Fusion energy: Progress, partnerships, and the path to deployment
Over the past decade, fusion energy has moved decisively from scientific aspiration toward a credible pathway to a new energy technology. Thanks to long-term federal support, we have significantly advanced our fundamental understanding of plasma physics—the behavior of the superheated gases at the heart of fusion devices. This knowledge will enable the creation and control of fusion fuel under conditions required for future power plants. Our progress is exemplified by breakthroughs at the National Ignition Facility and the Joint European Torus.
J. C. DeBoo, D. R. Baker, M. R. Wade
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 48 | Number 2 | October 2005 | Pages 988-996
Technical Paper | DIII-D Tokamak - Achieving Reactor Quality Plasma Confinement | doi.org/10.13182/FST05-A1054
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
DIII-D has studied thermal and particle transport in International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER)-relevant regimes. In order to better distinguish between thermal transport models, it is important to test both the steady-state and time-dependent predictions of models against experimental results. Based on experiments in DIII-D, models containing the full spectral range of drift wave physics from ion temperature gradient to electron temperature gradient modes were in closest agreement with experimental observations. Inclusion of E × B flow shear stabilization effects was found to be important. Although some aspects of the experimental observations were well matched by various models, no individual model did well matching both the equilibrium and time-dependent electron and ion behavior, which clearly indicates that further improvement in transport models is required. Helium transport studies in DIII-D are encouraging for ITER in that they indicate that the measured particle diffusivity is sufficient to remove helium ash fast enough to avoid deleterious fuel dilution, but other factors for ITER such as divertor geometry and pumping speed must also be assessed.