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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. Bromberg, ARIES-IFE Team
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 46 | Number 3 | November 2004 | Pages 494-505
Technical Paper | ARIES-IFE | doi.org/10.13182/FST04-A585
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The environment close to the chamber of heavy ion inertial fusion energy reactors imposes severe constraints on magnets used for final focusing magnets. Space is at a premium, requiring close proximity of adjacent magnets, making magnet integration imperative. In addition, the high radiation flux imposes stringent shielding requirements. In this paper, the options for final focusing magnet topologies are described. Implications of using both high-temperature superconductors and conventional low-temperature superconductors are investigated. The use of high-temperature superconducting materials may offer an attractive, although speculative, opportunity for a fundamentally different approach to magnet construction, leading to either lower cost or reduced maintenance.