The burning plasma experiment: changing fusion to an energy-oriented program

Summary form only given. The role of the burning plasma experiment (BPX) in the US fusion program is to provide a technical bridge between the present generation of experiments (i.e. TFTR, JET, DIII-D) and an Experimental Test Reactor (ETR) such as the International Tokamak Experimental Reactor. The primary span in this technical bridge is the understanding, development, and demonstration of the physics of self-heated (e.g. burning) plasmas. The development and demonstration of the physics of burning plasmas is an essential next step if the world fusion program is to effectively transition to an energy-oriented program. BPX is a national effort that involves most of the national fusion laboratories, many major universities, and an increasing number of industrial participants. As a major systems acquisition within the US Department of Energy, BPX is required to meet rigorous project control and procedural documentation standards.<>