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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.
O. Mitarai, A. Sagara, S. Sudo, O. Motojima
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 27 | Number 3 | April 1995 | Pages 278-281
Helical Systems | doi.org/10.13182/FST95-A11947087
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Ignition characteristics in the D-T high field helical reactor of R=20 m, ā =2 m are analyzed by the “operation path method” on the P̄htτE2-T plane and “POPCON”. Based on the LHD scaling law, the strong magnetic field B0=12~15 T makes a reactor operable with a low confinement enhancement, leading to the low helium ash accumulation. POPCON analyses with the synchrotron radiation losses, the density limit and confinement time saturation effect show that merginal confinement factors to have the fusion power of 3 GW are 0.9 to 1.3 for Bo=15 T, and 1.1 to 1.6 for 12 T, respectively.