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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.
David R. Mikkelsen, Larry R. Grisham
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 5 | Number 2 | March 1984 | Pages 145-150
Technical Paper | Plasma Engineering | doi.org/10.13182/FST84-A23088
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The effect on neutral beam design and reactor performance of using high-energy (∼3- to 10-MeV) tritium neutral beams to drive steady-state tokamak reactors is considered. The lower current of such beams leads to several advantages over relatively lower energy 2-MeV deuterium neutral beams. The major disadvantage is the reduction of the reactor output caused by raising the beam energy above the optimal energy for current drive (3 to 5 MeV) and thus lowering the current-drive efficiency.