Physics basis for the Fusion Ignition Research Experiment (FIRE) Page: 3 of 7
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Physics Basis for the Fusion Ignition Research Experiment (FIRE)
D. M. Meade', R. J. Thome2, N. R. Sauthoff1, P. J. Heitzenroederl, B. E.
Nelson', M.A Ulrickson4, C. E. Kessel, J. H. Schultz2, P. H. Rutherford', J. C.
Wesley5, K. M. Young', W. M. Nevins6, N. A. Uckan3 and
J. A. Schmidt'
1Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ 08543, USA
2Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
3Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
Sandia National Laboratory, Albuquerque, NM 87185, USA
5General Atomics, San Diego, CA 92186, USA
6Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
Understanding the properties of high gain (alpha-dominated) fusion plasmas in an advanced
toroidal configuration is a critical issue that must be addressed to provide the scientific
foundation for an attractive magnetic fusion reactor. The functional fusion plasma objectives
for major next physics steps in magnetic
fusion research can be described as: 1.B0rnn eacto
Burning Plasma Physics - The Plasma
achievement and understanding of alpha- Physics 0.8 Physics Integration
dominated plasmas that have
characteristics similar to those expected in 06 Burning PlasmaPhysis
a fusion energy source, and _'"'"erin'e..
Advanced Toroidal Physics - The Heat4
achievement and understanding of
bootstrap-current-dominated plasmas with 02
externally controlled profiles and other Existin Devices Prfok C anLu,,g PuI
characteristics (e.g., confinement and (3) o~o " a nala
similar to those expected in an attractive AdvancedToroidalPhysics
fusion system. Fig.] Next Physics Steps in Magnetic Fusion
These requirements lead naturally to a set of fusion physics Stepping Stones as illustrated in
Fig. 1. The ranges of plasma performance and duration to address these issues are shown
schematically with the natural time scales for important plasma processes.
A design study of a Fusion Ignition Research Experiment (FIRE) is underway to investigate
near term opportunities for advancing the scientific understanding of self-heated fusion
plasmas in advanced toroidal configurations. The emphasis is on understanding the behavior
of plasmas dominated by alpha heating (Q > 5) that are sustained sufficiently long compared
to most characteristic plasma time scales (- 30 TE, - 6THe ,- Tsi1n, where tHe is the helium ash
confinement time at 5TE, and Tskin is the time for the plasma current profile to redistribute at
fixed total current) to allow the evolution of alpha defined profiles. The programmatic
mission of FIRE is to attain, explore, understand and optimize alpha-dominated plasmas to
provide knowledge for the design of attractive magnetic fusion energy systems. The
programmatic strategy is to access the alpha-dominated regimes with confidence using the
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Meade, D. M.; Thome, R. J.; Sauthoff, N. R.; Heitzenroeder, P. J.; Nelson, B. E.; Ulrickson, M.A et al. Physics basis for the Fusion Ignition Research Experiment (FIRE), report, July 7, 2000; Princeton, New Jersey. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc711866/m1/3/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.