Small tokamaks for fusion technology testing

Small steady-state tokamaks for testing divertors and fusion nuclear technologies are considered. Based on present physics and technology data and explanation to reduce R{sub 0}/a, H-D-fueled tokamaks with R{sub 0} {approximately} 0.6--0.75 m, R{sub 0}/a {approximately} 1.8--2.5, and B{sub t0} {approximately} 1.4--2.2 T can be driven with P{sub tot} {approximately} 4.5 MW to maintain I{sub p} {approximately} 0.5 MA and produce the ITER-level plasma edge and divertor conditions. Given an adequate steady-state divertor solution and Q{approximately}1 operation based on fusion through the suprathermal component, D-T-fueled tokamaks with R{sub 0} {approximately} 0.8 m, R{sub 0}/a {approximately} 2, and B{sub t0} {approximately} 4 T can be driven with P{sub tot} {approximately} 15 MW to maintain I{sub p} {approximately} 4.6 MA and produce an peak neutron wall load W{sub L} {approximately} 1 MW/m{sup 2}. Such devices appear possible if the plasma properties at the power R{sub 0}/a remain tokamak-like and, for the D-T case, can unshielded center core is feasible. The use of a single conductor as the inboard leg of the toroidal field coils for this purpose is discussed. The physics issues and the design features are identified for such tokamaks with a testing duty for factor goal of 10--20%.

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