West European magnetic confinement fusion research

Technical Report · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6860808· OSTI ID:6860808

McKenney, B L; McGrain, M ^[1]; Hazeltine, R D ^[2]; Gentle, K W ^[3]; Hogan, J T ^[4]; Porkolab, M ^[5]; Sigmar,

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1. eds.; Science Applications International Corp., McLean, VA (USA). Foreign Applied Sciences Assessment Center
2. Texas Univ., Austin, TX (USA). Inst. for Fusion Studies
3. Texas Univ., Austin, TX (USA)
4. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
5. Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, MA (USA). Dept. of Physics

This report presents a technical assessment and review of the West European program in magnetic confinement fusion by a panel of US scientists and engineers active in fusion research. Findings are based on the scientific and technical literature, on laboratory reports and preprints, and on the personal experiences and collaborations of the panel members. Concerned primarily with developments during the past 10 years, from 1979 to 1989, the report assesses West European fusion research in seven technical areas: tokamak experiments; magnetic confinement technology and engineering; fusion nuclear technology; alternate concepts; theory; fusion computations; and program organization. The main conclusion emerging from the analysis is that West European fusion research has attained a position of leadership in the international fusion program. This distinction reflects in large measure the remarkable achievements of the Joint European Torus (JET). However, West European fusion prominence extends beyond tokamak experimental physics: the program has demonstrated a breadth of skill in fusion science and technology that is not excelled in the international effort. It is expected that the West European primacy in central areas of confinement physics will be maintained or even increased during the early 1990s. The program's maturity and commitment kindle expectations of dramatic West European advances toward the fusion energy goal. For example, achievement of fusion breakeven is expected first in JET, before 1995.

• Research Organization: Science Applications International Corp., McLean, VA (USA). Foreign Applied Sciences Assessment Center
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/ER
• DOE Contract Number: AI01-88ER30143
• OSTI ID: 6860808
• Report Number(s): FASAC-TAR-90010911; ON: DE90010911
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
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BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BREEDING BLANKETS
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
CONFINEMENT
EUROPE
HEATING
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
JET TOKAMAK
LIGHT NUCLEI
MAGNETIC CONFINEMENT
MAGNETS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
PELLET INJECTION
PINCH EFFECT
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
PLASMA HEATING
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
RADIOISOTOPES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR SAFETY
REVERSE-FIELD PINCH
SAFETY
STELLARATORS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
THERMONUCLEAR REACTOR MATERIALS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
TOKAMAK TYPE REACTORS
TRANSPORT THEORY
TRITIUM
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES