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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.
R. Keppens, J. P. Goedbloed, J. W. S. Blokland
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 57 | Number 2 | February 2010 | Pages 137-147
Equilibrium and Instabilities | Proceedings of the Ninth Carolus Magnus Summer School on Plasma and Fusion Energy Physics | doi.org/10.13182/FST10-A9404
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The magnetohydrodynamic model for fusion plasma dynamics governs the large-scale equilibrium properties, and sets the most stringent constraints on the parameter space accessible without violent disruptions. In conjunction with linear stability analysis in the complex tokamak geometry, the MHD paradigm is also routinely being used to diagnose recurring wave modes and identify potential MHD mode triggers of consequent non-MHD phenomena. On the other hand, it is currently computationally feasible to perform fully nonlinear simulations in tokamak geometry, and determine nonlinear, long-term (i.e. on resistive time scales) evolutions for individual MHD dominated plasma scenarios. It can be expected that this success continues its evolution towards a fully integrated computational analysis of the experimental campaigns, certainly in view of the desired steady-state self-burning plasmas.