Magnetic Fusion Energy

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Introduction

The journey to magnetic fusion energy

G.H. Neilson     Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ, United States

Abstract

Remarkable scientific and technical progress has been made in fusion energy research, a global enterprise that has been under way for more than 65 years. Although the time scale for commercial realization of fusion energy remains uncertain, its potential to address the world’s need for large-scale clean energy solutions motivates strong support for fusion research in many countries. The decision to construct ITER, an experiment to explore the science and technology of a burning plasma, marks a watershed in fusion history and the start of the ITER era. The book introduces the major science and technology issues ...