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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.
Satoshi Nishio, Kichiro Shinya
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 19 | Number 1 | January 1991 | Pages 86-94
Technical Paper | Plasma Engineering | doi.org/10.13182/FST91-A29318
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A new method for mapping the plasma operational space of a tokamak reactor is proposed. The operational space within poloidal field (PF) coil engineering constraints is defined by three parameters, ψ, βp, and Ip, which are the magnetic flux supplied by the PF coil system, the poloidal beta, and the plasma current, respectively. It is also shown that the boundaries of the plasma operational space have a one-to-one correspondence with the PF coils. The design specifications of the PF coil system are thus related to the plasma operational space.