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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.
Donald A. Spong, D. J. Sigmar, J. J. Ramos
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 13 | Number 3 | March 1988 | Pages 428-431
Technical Paper | Alpha-Particle Workshop / Alpha Workshop | doi.org/10.13182/FST88-A25119
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
For Tα/Ti < 150 (where Tα is the alpha-mean energy and Ti the ion temperature), the trapped alpha precision resonance destabilizes the kinetic ballooning mode of the bulk plasma. Using a slowing down distribution and both circular and noncircular equilibrium models, the eigenfrequencies of the resonant ballooning integral equation are computed. One finds lower critical betas and a widening of the unstable region, particularly at higher electron temperature and for flat q, steep pressure profiles typical of ignited sawtoothing plasmas.