Physics Basis for the Fusion Ignition Research Experiment (FIRE)
Authors: D.M. Meade, R.J. Thome, N.R. Sauthoff, P.J. Heitzenroeder, B.E. Nelson, M.A Ulrickson, C. E. Kessel, J.H. Schultz, P.H. Rutherford, J.C. Wesley, K.M. Young, W.M. Nevins, N.A. Uckan, and J.A. Schmidt
Date of PPPL Report: July 2000
Presented at: the 27th European Physical Society's (EPS) Conference on Controlled Fusion and Plasma Physics, June 12-16, 2000, Budapest, Hungary. A "Provisional Collection of Submitted Contributions" can be found at the following web site: http://www.eps2000.kfki.hu (active as of August 16, 2000). Papers are in PDF format.
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: Burning Plasma Physics - The achievement and understanding of alpha-dominated plasmas that have characteristics similar to those expected in a fusion energy source, and Advanced Toroidal Physics - The achievement and understanding of bootstrap-current-dominated plasmas with externally controlled profiles and other characteristics (e.g., confinement and beta) similar to those expected in an attractive fusion system.