Abstract
Based on recent progress in world tokamak research, the prospects of continuous operation of a tokamak fusion power reactor are discussed. Efficient steady state operation (Q>30) becomes feasible when a large fraction of the plasma current (>70%) is driven by the bootstrap current. Moderate current (Ip approximately 10-20 MA) and an enhanced confinement mode of operation are the key for efficient steady state operation. High magnetic fields (Bt=8-11T) and high Troyon factors ( beta N>3.5) are required to attain high beta p operation and a reasonably high fusion power density. Control of the current and edge pressure profiles is necessary for high beta N operation with a high bootstrap fraction. It is proposed that the Next Step Tokamak should be optimized for continuous operation as well as high current pulsed operation.
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