bei48482_FM

The Joint European Torus is an experimental tokamak fusion reactor at Culham, England. The reactor

has delivered 16 MW with a power input of 25 MW, encouragingly close to breakeven.

Nuclear Transformations 465

1019

Breakeven

1020 1021

0

10

20

30

40

Ignition

Confinement quality parameter nτ, s/m^3

Plasma ion temperature, keV

Figure 12.29Conditions for breakeven (energy output equals energy input) and for ignition (a self-

sustaining reaction) in a fusion reactor. Existing reactors have come close to breakeven; the projected

International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor is intended to go beyond it.

bei48482_ch12.qxd 1/23/02 12:08 AM Page 465 RKAUL-9 RKAUL-9:Desktop Folder: