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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.
B. Coppi, L.E. Sugiyama, M. Nassi
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 21 | Number 3 | May 1992 | Pages 1612-1616
Plasma Engineering | doi.org/10.13182/FST92-A29950
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Compact, tight aspect ratio toroidal configurations offer a set of properties favorable for fusion ignition experiments. High magnetic fields support high particle densities, which increase the fusion reaction rate and improve the plasma purity, as well as high plasma currents, which provide strong ohmic heating and keep the plasma beta low to improve stability. Low temperature D-T ignition. To ≤ 15 ke V, at relatively low levels of fusion α-particle heating compared to the ohmic heating, Pα/POH ≤ 2, then becomes possible, using predominantly ohmic heating. This minimizes the degradation of plasma confinement caused by injected heating and high beta and also reduces the need for complex divertor systems.