J. Plasma Fusion Res. SERIES, Vol. 5 t2002) 143-148 FIRE, Exploring the Frontiers of Burning Plasma Science

The buming plasma regime will exhibit a number of complex phenomena that must be studied and understood if magnetic fusion is to be successful. The FIRE design study of a burning plasma experiment has the goal of developing a concept for an experimental facility to explore and understand the strong non-linear coupling among confinement, self-heating, MHD stability, edge physics and wave-particle interactions that is fundamental to fusion plasma behavior. This will require plasmas dominated by alpha heating (Q = lO) that are sustained for duration longer than characteristic plasma time scales. The FIRE pre-conceptual design activities, carried out by an U. S. national team, have been undertaken with the objectil'e of finding the minimum size (cost) device to achieve the essential burning plasma science goals while building on the physics understanding of today. FIRE is envisioned as an extension of the existing advanced tokamak program leading to an attractive magnetic fusion reactor (e.g., ARIES-RS). FIRE activities have focused on the physics and engineering assessment of a compact, high-field tokamak with the capability of achieving Q = l0 in the Elmy H-mode for a duration of- 1.5 plasma current redistribution times (skin times) during an initial burning plasma science phase, and the flexibility to add advanced tokamak hardware (e.g., lower hybrid current drive and feedback stabilization) later. Th