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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.
Nicholas A. Krall
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 22 | Number 1 | August 1992 | Pages 42-49
Technical Paper | D-3He/Fusion Reactor | doi.org/10.13182/FST92-A30052
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The Polywell™ spherically convergent ion focus concept for controlled thermonuclear fusion is described. The device magnetically confines electrons by a quasi-spherical-cusp magnetic field, forming a potential well. Ions are electrostatically confined by this well, converging to a dense focus in the center of the spherical potential, where the fusion rate is large because of the high local density of transient energetic ions. Power balance and critical physics issues are outlined, along with current experimental and theoretical work. The potential of the device for D-3He operation is described by the derivation of scaling laws for energy gain.