Research Needs for Magnetic Fusion Energy Sciences - US Burning ...

Connections to Other Thrusts
• Three-dimensional shaping of plasmas for steady-state disruptionless performance is
central to the Theme 5 goal of optimizing the magnetic configuration. Three-dimensional
shaping tools and analysis are applicable to other toroidal configurations described in
Thrusts 16 and 18, as well as to tokamaks.
• With its emphasis on understanding sustained plasma configurations without virulent
off-normal events, the Thrust contributes directly to the Theme 2 goal of creating
predictable high-performance steady-state plasmas, providing a wholesale alternative to
developing the integrated control strategies, sensors, and actuators discussed in Thrusts
1, 2, 5, and 8.
• Predictive capability is required for all fusion concepts. The need for 3-d predictive
modeling embedded throughout this Thrust is reflected in Thrust 6.
• The potential benefit of hts to use the inherent steady-state capability of stellarators
motivates a linkage with Thrust 7.
• The effort to develop robust 3-d divertors, coupled with the need to understand power
and particle handling, drives linkages with Thrusts 9-12.
Conclusion
The application of the novel principle of quasi-symmetry using 3-d magnetic fields seeks to combine
the good confinement of the tokamak with the sustainment and robust macrostability of the
stellarator. at present, 3-d shaping is the only known means of achieving these conditions, and
could do so with minimal need for control sensors and fast actuators. if successful, this Thrust
could fundamentally transform our ability to create and sustain fusion-relevant plasmas, and
hasten our progress in addressing the challenges common to all fusion approaches.
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