Abstract
Providing a historical overview of 50 years of fusion research, a review of the fundamentals and concepts of fusion and research efforts towards the implementation of a steady state tokamak reactor is presented. In 1990, a steady-state tokamak reactor (SSTR) best utilizing the bootstrap current was developed. Since then, significant efforts have been made in major tokamaks, including JT-60U, exploring advanced regimes relevant to the steady state operation of tokamaks. In this paper, the fundamentals of fusion and plasma confinement, and the concepts and research on current drive and MHD stability of advanced tokamaks towards realization of a steady-state tokamak reactor are reviewed, with an emphasis on the contributions of the JAEA. Finally, a view of fusion energy utilization in the 21st century is introduced.
Highlights
Fusion research to provide a scientific basis for fusion energy production has been carried out for 50 years [1]
Fusion research has progressed significantly during the 50 years elapsed since its inception in 1958, especially thanks to tokamak research
A brief introduction of fusion reaction, topology of magnetic confinement and hidden symmetry in force equilibrium is provided leading to the importance of the apparent geometrical symmetry of the tokamak
Summary
Fusion research to provide a scientific basis for fusion energy production has been carried out for 50 years [1]. The continued interaction among these three areas of research is fundamental to the success of fusion research To achieve such a goal, a fundamental understanding of fusion and plasma confinement is essential [3]. Over the past 50 years of fusion research, significant progress has been made in the area of (1) and we have reached the stage of the demonstration of the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion energy by ITER [4]. Significant efforts to achieve reactors relevant high temperature plasma and provide a scientific basis for ITER and the SSTR have been made in JT-60 and JT-60U during 23 years of research operation exploring advanced regimes relevant to the steady state operation of tokamaks.
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