An interpretive overview of the United States Magnetic Fusion Program

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Proc. IEEE; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/PROC.1981.12105· OSTI ID:5865393

Clarke, J F

During the 1950s and 1960s attempts made to control the fusion process were largely unsuccessful. Nonetheless, considerable progress was made during these decades because the science of plasma physics, as it applies to fusion plasmas, was nurtured by the attempts to overcome each experimental difficulty. By the early 1970s, both the science and technology of magnetic fusion had matured to the point that a systematic assault on the fusion problem could be attempted. Critical experimental facilities were constructed during the period from 1973 through 1977. The period since 1977 has represented a period of completion and exploitation of the facilities begun in the previous five years. The scientific and technological results achieved during this period have been sufficiently promising to justify the passage of the Magnetic Fusion Energy Engineering Act of 1980, which sets as national policy a shift from a concentration on scientific feasibility of magnetic fusion to the demonstration of engineering feasibility and the construction of a fusion demonstration power plant by the end of the century.

• Research Organization: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC
• OSTI ID: 5865393
• Journal Information: Proc. IEEE; (United States), Journal Name: Proc. IEEE; (United States) Vol. 69; ISSN IEEPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700000* -- Fusion Energy
ALPHA PARTICLES
CHARGED PARTICLES
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
DOCUMENT TYPES
HEATING
IMPURITIES
ION TEMPERATURE
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PLANNING
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA HEATING
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
REVIEWS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
TOKAMAK DEVICES