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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.
L. C. Cadwallader, P. I. Petersen
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 44 | Number 2 | September 2003 | Pages 382-387
Technical Paper | Fusion Energy - Tritium and Safety and Environment | doi.org/10.13182/FST03-A364
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The reliability of selected DIII-D vacuum components has been studied to give indications of how well the vacuum confinement would perform if a liquid wall experiment were operated on a device such as the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX). Data from the DIII-D vessel and vacuum system are generally applicable to the NSTX because their designs are similar. The DIII-D has accumulated operating experience data over 15 years of operations, and DIII-D-specific reliability values are comparable to previous reliability estimates for vacuum components.