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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.
Joel H. Fink
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 6 | Number 3 | November 1984 | Pages 548-553
Technical Paper | Plasma Heating System | doi.org/10.13182/FST84-A23136
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Recent studies have provided data that make it possible to estimate the efficiency and cost of future beamlines using a chemical oxygen-iodine laser as a neutralizes These studies indicate that a 400-keV neutral deuterium beam of more than 20 A will operate at an efficiency >60%, with the capital cost of the neutralizer at less than $2/W of neutral beam output. Beamlines of lower current and less energy will operate at poorer efficiencies and higher neutralizer costs per watt of neutral beam. These are estimates. As they are very sensitive to changes in the assumptions from which they were derived, they must be used with some caution. Additional studies are expected to provide more reliable estimates.