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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. J. Hogan
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 10 | Number 3 | November 1986 | Pages 649-655
Inertial Confinement Fusion Driver Technology | Proceedings of the Seveth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (Reno, Nevada, June 15–19, 1986) | doi.org/10.13182/FST86-A24816
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
There has been a great deal of progress in recent years on the development of solid state and KrF lasers, light ion diodes, and heavy ion accelerators for use as drivers in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) facilities. Two relatively new entries in the ICF driver derby are the free electron laser (FEL) and the compact torus (CT). The status and remaining technological challenges of each potential driver are described. The author discusses driver performance criteria for various reactor applications and then gives his informed opinion in a qualitative rating of the six drivers for each application.