Setting JET on Track. Prof. Donato Palumbo Honorary General Director Research EURATOM

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1 Setting JET on Track Prof. Donato Palumbo Honorary General Director Research EURATOM 25th JET Anniversary, Culham 20th May 2004

2 Fusion Reaction: D + T 4 He + n T D Alpha particle : 20 % of reaction energy ==> CONFINED ==> PLASMA SELF HEATING 4 He, 3.5 MeV Neutron : 80 % of reaction energy ==> NOT CONFINED ==> ENERGY OUTPUT and n, 14.1 MeV TRITIUM PRODUCTION

3 Fusion Reactors Building a fusion reactor is a very challenging task Simple criterion found by Lawson (1955) : n τ > cm -3 s Instabilities reducing τ Nevertheless n τ now up to cm -3 s MAJOR ROLE PLAYED BY JET

4 International September 1958 Atoms for Peace (IAEA, Geneva) L.A.Artsimovich Plasma physics is very difficult. Worldwide collaboration needed for progress E.Teller Fusion technology is very complex. It is almost impossible to build a fusion reactor in this century

5 Europe: from How to organize collaboration? Solution ( Palumbo + Waelbroeck ): Fusion Associations First one : CEA Fontenay-aux- Roses

6 to 1986

7 First years of EU Fusion Research Programme Various magnetic configurations under study : Mirrors, Z and θ-pinches, stellarators Development of Plasma Heating methods Development of Plasma Diagnostics MODEST PROGRESS

8 A turning point for fusion physics Emergence of the Tokamak IAEA Novosibirsk (August 1968) T3 reaches 1 kev Confirmed by 1969 Culham mission to Moscow

9 A turning point for fusion physics TOKAMAK appears before 1968: very little money for fusion in EURATOM EURATOM faced risks of severe budget cuts because the Organic Liquid Heavy Water Reactor project terminates without success positive results from T3 inspired a bold attempt: propose a robust fusion programme within EURATOM Reorientation of fusion programme (Groupe de Liaison 69 led by Braams): There is a need for Several small tokamaks One BIG tokamak

10 FUSION TAKE-OFF IN EARLY 70 s Council is positive about a robust fusion programme The Council s Decision dated June 21, 1971 provides MORE MONEY FOR FUSION THAN REQUESTED (46.5 MUC instead of 45 MUC for ) and, even more importantly, it defines the scope: a long-term co-operative project embracing all work carried out in the Member States in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion. It is designed to lead in due course to the joint construction of prototypes with a view to their industrial production and marketing. Switzerland and Sweden joined EURATOM Several tokamaks : TFR very succesful (designed by Rebut)

11 The scientific birth of JET 1972 : Luc-Enriques JET working group Define requirements for a large tokamak reaching reactor conditions 1973 : May : recommendation 3MA tokamak needed June : Design group in Culham Leader is P.H.Rebut Supervisory board led by R.Toschi. September : Start of design team in Culham November : First preliminary report 1975 : Final JET report - Famous R5 ONLY 3 YEARS FROM CONCEPT TO DESIGN

12 Years of indecisiveness 10 Sessions of Council of Ministers to solve JET site discussion 1977 Setting JET on Track Site? Legal Status? Cost? From the most difficult to the simpliest: Siting problem solved : Council of Ministers 25 Oct 77 (led by Simonet from Belgium) Decision helped by Terrorist raid on Entebbe Legal Status : Joint Undertaking, adopted by the Council just a week earlier Cost is shared : 80% Commission, 10% Host country, 10% Associations

13 Building JET and Reaching the First 1MA plasmas in JET 18th May 1979: the foundation stone laid by Dr G Brunner in Culham the duo H.O.Wüster and P.H.Rebut JET built on schedule and in budget 25th June 1983 : first plasma in October JET is the first tokamak in the world reaching 1MA, and makes 3MA by the end of the year before TFTR(USA) and JT-60 (Japan) 19th April 1984 : Official opening by H.R.M. Queen Elizabeth II

14 Conclusive remarks fusion programme has been managed by scientists freedom for the management is of prior importance Position of JET in EFP has been mutually beneficial Quality of Scientific Leader and of staff is essential JET has been universally judged as a big step