Knowledge of plasma physics is encouraged (NEEP/ECE/Phys 525) since both types of fusion deal with matter in the plasma state. Introductory level plasma science with a focus on issues relevant to fusion energy will be integrated into the class. General nuclear, modern physics and E&M is required. If you are unsure about the requirements please contact the instructor.

No single textbook is used for the class.

Class presentations will be available electronically.

Useful materials:

"Principles of Fusion Energy", A.A. Harms, et al. "Plasma Physics: An Introductory Course", R.O. Dendy ed. "Introduction to plasma physics and controlled fusion Vol 1: Plasma physics" F. Chen "Fusion" E. Teller, Ed. "Fusion : an introduction to the physics and technology of magnetic confinement fusion" W. Stacey "Inertial confinement fusion : the quest for ignition and energy gain using indirect drive" J. Lindl

Course Objectives: It is the instructor's intention to...

familiarize students with the status of fusion research, with a particular focus on two experiments, ITER and NIF, that will provide f demonstrations of the feasibility of fusion energy production from magnetic and inertial confinement respectively.

familiarize students with the features of fusion reactors.

familiarize students with the scientific & economic constraints on fusion reactors.

expose students to the environmental and safety constraints on fusion reactors.

Course Outcomes: Students must be able to...

recognize the difference between fission and fusion power production.

understand the trade-offs needed to make an economic fusion power plant.

understand the different physics and technologies employed in the magnetic and inertial fusion fields.

realize the materials limitations that govern fusion reactor performance.

identify technologies that need the most advances to realize fusion power.

understand the environmental impacts of fusion.

The following statement indicates which of the following considerations are included in this course: economic, environmental, ethical, political, societal, health and safety, manufacturability, sustainability.

NEEP 536 is a survey course describing what fusion reactors might look like if a variety of scientific and technological problems could be overcome. A major portion of the class is devoted to issues of sustainability (need for fusion energy), the relative environmental impact of fusion relative to fission, and the economic constraints that have to be addressed before fusion can be considered a viable energy source.

NEEP 536 can be taken as a senior technical elective or a first-year graduate student breadth elective. To some extent, it prepares students for a career in nuclear engineering, in that it provides some idea of what people are thinking about as possible fusion reactor concepts. There is also an implicit underlying focus on environmental and contemporary issues, in that fusion provides an essentially limitless energy source with minimal environmental impact.