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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.
Alexander A. Skovoroda
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 39 | Number 1 | January 2001 | Pages 41-48
Invited Review Lectures | doi.org/10.13182/FST01-A11963413
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The conceptual project APEX (Adapted Plasma Experiment) is discussed. The APEX objective is the development of a physical foundations for the CW fusion reactor, created on a base of an alternative type of magnetic trap, which could provide a “tokamak scale” confinement time at much higher β. Linked mirrors are the prototypes of this heading. The main idea of DRACON trap – the short circuit secondary plasma currents inside the curve elements (CE) – is kept. The new principle of poloidal pseudosymmetry and the non-traditional scheme of MHD plasma stabilization by “magnetic hump” give a possibility of a new approach to reduce plasma losses.
The APEX concept provides for the Experimental Pseudo SYmmetric Linked trap (EPSYLON) design. The whole installation will be have two axisymmetric mirror parts (OME) closed with two CEs. Each OME contains the diverter. CE should have a strongly rippled magnetic field. As far as each OME and each CE is a trap with mirror confinement it is possible to start an investigation of the system from separate experiments with different parts of the whole system. The EPSYLON construction will be adapted to the experimental results. The experiment with OME is chosen now as the first step of the program. The main objective of this first experiment is the investigation of the “magnetic hump” MHD stabilization produced by divertor. EPSILON-OME installation is discussed. The closed system calculations are going in parallel.