Key materials issues for near term fusion reactors

Abstract

Materials problems in near term fusion devices tend not to be dominated by structural alloys, but more by specialized components. Prevention of radiation damage to superconducting magnet materials (insulators, stabilizers and superconductors) tends to have a large impact on the size, and hence the cost of fusion devices. Other problems such as impurity control components, breeder materials, and coatings for ICF laser optics will also be the focus of near term materials research and sometimes may require solutions which are not relevant for commercial reactors.