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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.
W. R. Fundamenski, A. A. Harms
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 29 | Number 3 | May 1996 | Pages 313-349
Critical Review | Fusion Fuel Cycle | doi.org/10.13182/FST96-A30720
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Advanced fuels for nuclear fusion — of which deuterium and 3He mixture is the leading candidate — could reduce tritium inventory, neutron fluence, structural damage, and activation in future reactors as well as allow for direct energy conversion. The feasibility of D-3He fusion is assessed based on recent developments in the areas of fuel resources, fusion and plasma physics, magnetic and inertial reactors, space propulsion, reactor safety, and waste disposal. It appears that D-3He fusion is not well suited to the conventional tokamak design (β ∼ 10%) because of excessive synchrotron loss and closed field topology. High-beta and/or non-Maxwellian plasma configurations are promising but at present lack a sufficient experimental database to predict reactor-relevant behavior. Space propulsion appears to be a most advantageous application of D-3He fusion.