Integrated Approach to Dense Magnetized Plasma Applications in Nuclear Fusion Technology

The construction phase of large fusion facilities is in visible progress. Important investments are being made with the construction of the magnetic confinement fusion device Iter (France), as a joint undertaking of seven partners, and two large inertial fusion facilities, the Laser Mega Joule (LMJ, France) and National Ignition Facility (NIF, United States of America). These recent developments in fusion pave a clear path for the forthcoming physics and technology research activities, which are still required for the successful construction and operation of a DEMO fusion power plant. Accompanying programmes will include research activities aiming at developing the physics and technology that would support the operation of the new fusion reactor devices. In particular the areas of material sciences and fusion technology (in its broad context) require answers for many of the issues that the operation of this devices poses as well as the future fusion DEMO power plants.
Dense Magnetized Plasma devices can in principle be used to test, in an intermediate step, the materials, technologies and concept principles of larger devices, while dedicated testing facilities, such as IFMIF, are being designed. These research activities can take place immediately and are expected to shed light in some of the present and near future mainstream fusion research topics, namely on the fusion technology and material sciences area. This class of devices can produce DD and DT fusion reactions, plasma streams, hard and soft X-rays and electron as well as positive ion beams up to the MeV range. The previous IAEA CRP on this topic helped to build a network of DMP laboratories with improved technology and research capability that is ready to be applied in many topics of mainstream fusion research.
The purpose of the present CRP is to plan and coordinate DMP activities that will address relevant technology and materials issues that need to be urgently investigated contributing to the knowledge pool of mainstream fusion research. This project follows the recommendations by the advisory body to the IAEA, International Fusion Research Council (IFRC), to strengthen its activities in support of science and technology for fusion power plants as well as by the experts from the Member States conveyed in a dedicated Consultancy Meeting held in April 2007. The CRP will be a contribution under the IAEA's coordinating role in fostering international cooperation in fusion research and plasma physics applications.