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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.
C. Gil, C. De Michelis, D. Elbeze, C. Fenzi, J. P. Gunn, F. Imbeaux, Ph. Lotte, D. Mazon, O. Meyer, M. Missirlian, Ph. Moreau, R. Reichle, R. Sabot, F. Saint-Laurent, J.-L. Segui, A. Simonin, J.-M. Travere, J.-C. Vallet, Tore Supra Team
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 56 | Number 3 | October 2009 | Pages 1219-1252
Technical Papers | Tore Supra Special Issue | doi.org/10.13182/FST09-A9175
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Realizing high-power long-duration discharges puts specific constraints on diagnostics: Their front parts have to withstand important thermal loads, eventually requiring active cooling of critical parts, and drifts in measurements have to be avoided in order to supply reliable measurement during the whole discharge duration. Furthermore, the importance of diagnostics for missions other than physics understanding, such as machine operation or safety control, increases. The diagnostics system of Tore Supra consists of roughly 30 diagnostics, covering a large range of plasma parameters from the core to the edge. They have been designed for long-duration plasma discharges, which can last up to 1000 s. Their inner components have been dimensioned to endure continuous high-radiation fluxes, and most of them have been conceived to give a fair measurement all along the discharges.