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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.
Ronald L. Miller
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 52 | Number 3 | October 2007 | Pages 427-431
Technical Paper | The Technology of Fusion Energy - Experimental Devices and Advanced Designs | doi.org/10.13182/FST07-A1525
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) occupies an intermediate region between conventional Magnetic Fusion Energy (MFE) and Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE). A particular approach, extrapolated from the ongoing FRX-L experimental effort, involves the generation of a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) suitable for translation along an axial magnetic field and cylindricalliner (i.e., converging flux conserver) implosion and pdV heating to burn conditions. The fusion gain, Q (ratio of DT fusion yield to the sum of initial liner kinetic energy plus plasma formation energy), sets the pulsed power-plant duty cycle. The modular power-plant embodiment recalls the Fast Liner Reactor (FLR) and shares stand-off and blast-mitigation features of the recent characterization of the Z-IFE. Recycle and economic remanufacture of destroyed front-end apparatus must be performed under tight cost constraints. A tin-lithium alloy is being investigated for multifunctional suitability as the liner, transmission-line, and primary coolant/breeder material. Key performance drivers are described.