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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.
Yuming Gu, Jun Li, Jianglong Wei, Yahong Xie, Lizhen Liang, Chundong Hu
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 72 | Number 2 | August 2017 | Pages 148-156
Technical Note | doi.org/10.1080/15361055.2017.1319718
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A prototype negative ion source is in development toward the giant negative ion source for the China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor neutral beam injection system at the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The multiaperture and multichannel grids are the most challengeable during the construction of the prototype negative ion source. The research and development activities for the grid manufacturing method were carried out and divided into detailed design, implementation, and testing phases. Based on a special manufacturing process involving the vacuum brazing technique, some prototype grids were produced. Two prototypes have similar structures to the extraction grid of the prototype negative ion source except for the reduced number of cooling channels. A testing campaign (including dimension inspection, leak tests, thermal imaging tests, and magnetic tests) was carried out. The results demonstrate that the manufacturing process and construction technology can meet the requirements of the extraction grid and can promote the construction of other grids or components having a similar structure.