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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.
Zachary S. Hartwig, Massimo Zucchetti
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 60 | Number 2 | August 2011 | Pages 725-729
Nuclear Analysis & Experiments | Proceedings of the Nineteenth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (TOFE) (Part 2) | doi.org/10.13182/FST11-A12471
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A critical aspect of the design of a tokamak-based neutron source is to ensure that radiation limits of the structural and magnet-insulating materials are not approached during the lifetime of the tokamak. To this end, we present an exploratory neutronics study of a materials testing facility that is based on Ignitor, a high-field tokamak. It shown that sufficient radiation damage to test materials located in the Ignitor first wall can be obtained by sustaining a reaction rate of 3.33×1019 neutrons per second for 7 operational months. Solutions to mitigate terminal damage to the toroidal field coil insulators, including its substitution for modern radiation-resistant insulators and the use of advanced radiation shield materials, are explored, and their implication for the design of the facility is discussed.