The U. S. has a leadership position in critical sciences due to billion dollar scale domestic facilities at the frontiers of these fields. The Fusion Energy Advisory Committee (FESAC) found that ITER and FIRE are each attractive options for the study of burning plasma science.  Exec SummaryThe US subsequently chose to join the Europe, Japan, Russia, South Korea, China and India in the ITER Project in 2005.  The ITER project is currently completing the design, and expects to have a Cost and Schedule baseline by November 2009.

Updated April 4, 2009

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Fusion Ignition Research Experiment (FIRE) Physics and Burning Plasma Physics Program Information

The Secretary of Energy Advisory Board(SEAB) Task Force on Fusion Energy review of the U. S. fusion program noted that "A necessary next major scientific step is the exploration of the physics of a burning plasma. At the present time only the tokamak is sufficiently advanced as to assure the necessary confinement in such an experiment." The National Research Council Assessment of Fusion Science(FuSAC) Interim Report identified several critical unresolved fusion science issues: (1) turbulence and transport, (2) energy density limits and (3) integrated physics of self-heated plasmas. The goal of FIRE is to address the critical scientific issues of a magnetically confined fusion plasma identified by SEAB and FuSAC within the next decade using the most cost-effective approach. Success in FIRE would serve as a "Stepping Stone" to provide the scientific foundation needed for an attractive fusion energy source as envisioned by the Advanced Reactor Innovation Evaluation Study (ARIES) . FIRE welcomes your input on the Next Major Step in Magnetic Fusion Research. If you are interested in setting up a FIRE discussion session, please send email to dmeade at pppl.gov.

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FIRE Physics Workshop


University Colloquia and APS Division of Plasma Physics Distinguished Lecture

Confining a Fusion Fire, A Grand Challenge for Science and Technology (1.5MB, pdf) to be presented at Columbia University Plasma Physics Colloquium January 26, 2001.

Confining a Fusion Fire, A Grand Challenge for Science and Technology (2.4MB, pdf) presented during the IAP 2001 Open House at MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, January 19, 2001.


 The American Physical Society (APS) Division of Plasma Physics (DPP) sponsors a Distinguished Lecturer Program involving a number of topics at the frontier of plasma physics. You may access information about this progran at APS-DPP

Confining a Fusion Fire, A Grand Challenge for Science and Technology (2.4MB, pdf) presented during the 1999-2000 lecture series.

Educational programs in plasma physics and fusion science can be found at the University Fusion Association UFA web site. Return to Top


Fusion Ignition Research Experiment (FIRE) Feasibility Study (Updated January, 2001)

This feasibility study was a national effort carried out through the Virtual Laboratory for Technology .

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** FIRE welcomes your input on the Next Major Step in Magnetic Fusion Research. **

FIRE has undertaken a proactive outreach program to solicit input on the major Next Step in Magnetic Fusion research. Over 25 presentations and discussion sessions have been held with the fusion and science community over the past 18 months. If you are interested in setting up a FIRE discussion session or would like to submit comments, please send email to dmeade@pppl.gov.

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Background Information and Reviews of the U. S. and World Fusion Programs

Burning Plasma Physics Issues

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