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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.
P. A. Finn, J. N. Brooks, D. A. Ehst, Y. Gohar, R. F. Mattas, C. C. Baker
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 10 | Number 3 | November 1986 | Pages 902-907
Innovative Concepts for Power Conversion | Proceedings of the Seveth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (Reno, Nevada, June 15–19, 1986) | doi.org/10.13182/FST86-A24851
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The benefits and limitations arising from the use of polarized deuterium-tritium fuels were assessed for commercial tokamak fusion reactors. The difference in capital costs for a reactor with and without polarized fueling was quantified for two reactors, one with a beta of 0.067 and a major radius of 7 m and the second with a beta of 0.25 and a major radius of 5.25 m. The change in reactor performance was also quantified. The conclusion was that the sum of all benefits associated with the use of polarized fuels does not result in a significant improvement in the tokamak reactor economics.