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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.
W. Fundamenski
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 53 | Number 4 | May 2008 | Pages 1023-1063
Technical Paper | Special Issue on Joint European Torus (jet) | doi.org/10.13182/FST08-A1746
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The tokamak plasma boundary, which is typically identified with the area of open field lines known as the scrape-off layer (SOL), determines the degree of plasma-wall interaction. SOL physics, much of which is concerned with the exhaust (removal) of particles and energy from the plasma, has been one of the major topics investigated on JET during the past two decades. In this chapter, SOL transport/exhaust studies on JET are reviewed. The discussion proceeds chronologically, beginning with the limiter SOL and treating in turn the successive divertors (Mk0, MkI, MkIIA, and MkIIGB) with which JET was equipped in subsequent years. When appropriate, old results are reinterpreted in the light of recent improvements in our understanding of edge/SOL turbulence and edge-localized modes (ELMs). Although emphasis is placed on deuterium transport in the SOL, impurity transport is briefly considered. In particular, the effect of divertor closure, of L-mode versus H-mode, and of inter-ELM versus ELM erosion on plasma purity (Zeff), radiation (frad), and confinement (E) is briefly discussed. The chapter concludes with a summary of empirical scaling expressions for SOL profile widths (radial e-folding lengths) in both limiter and divertor configurations.