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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. W. Hughes, A. E. Hubbard, D. A. Mossessian, B. LaBombard, T. M. Biewer, R. S. Granetz, M. Greenwald, I. H. Hutchinson, J. H. Irby, Y. Lin, E. S. Marmar, M. Porkolab, J. E. Rice, J. A. Snipes, J. L. Terry, S. Wolfe, K. Zhurovich
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 51 | Number 3 | April 2007 | Pages 317-341
Technical Paper | Alcator C-Mod Tokamak | doi.org/10.13182/FST07-A1425
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
H-mode research on Alcator C-Mod is described, with a focus on the edge transport barrier (ETB). ETB pedestals are characterized using several diagnostics, leading to a thorough description of profile structure in H-mode. L-H transition criteria are discussed, along with the fast evolution of the pedestal following the L-H transition. H-mode regimes are described in terms of their edge transport characteristics and the local edge parameters favoring each. Empirical scalings of the pedestal with operational parameters are found, helping to illuminate physics governing the pedestal structure, and the relationship between edge transport and global confinement is discussed. Dimensionless comparisons between discharges on different tokamaks are discussed. Finally, ongoing work and directions for the future are described.