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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.
T. C. Luce
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 48 | Number 2 | October 2005 | Pages 1212-1225
Technical Paper | DIII-D Tokamak - Advanced Tokamak Scenarios | doi.org/10.13182/FST05-A1072
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Research into the feasibility of steady-state operation of high-fusion-gain tokamak plasmas is one of the central elements of the DIII-D program. Realization of such discharges has progressed to the point of demonstrating well-aligned noninductive current profiles for a resistive time at 90% of the total current with plasma pressure and confinement consistent with fusion gain >5 in an ITER-sized tokamak. Full current drive discharges with poorer alignment have been obtained for shorter duration. The design methodology and the path to integrating the various elements necessary for full noninductive operation on DIII-D are discussed in detail.