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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.
S. Chaturvedi, R. G. Mills
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 26 | Number 2 | September 1994 | Pages 133-144
Technical Paper | Plasma Heating System | doi.org/10.13182/FST94-A30337
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The important mechanisms of energy flow in a quasi-isobaric magnetic fusion device have been studied in a three-part paper. In Part I, the spatial profiles of plasma parameters that yield acceptable values of Qdt and plasma dimensions, were determined. These profiles were determined by balancing the dominant terms in the differential energy equations, i.e., conduction, bremsstrahlung, and collisional energy exchange, against each other. One class of equilibria was identified for a more detailed study. In Part II, the contributions of inelastic processes, radiation transport, and alpha-particle heating were studied. These terms, in combination with the dominant terms studied earlier, yield the spatial profile of external heating that is required to balance the energy equations everywhere in the plasma. In Part III, the results of ray-tracing calculations for waves in the lower hybrid range are reported. These calculations show that it is possible to produce such a deposition profile for both electrons and ions, if the launch structure can couple the required k spectrum through the high-density edge plasma.