Tritium Activities in Germany

Due to the renunciation of Germany to the possession and fabrication of atomic weapons, no military-related tritium processing or research is undertaken. Tritium work is mainly performed within the framework of the development of nuclear fusion reactors. Focal point of tritium activities in Germany is the Karlsruhe Tritium Laboratory (TLK) at the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (FZK), where tritium amounts are processed on a technical level. The TLK is the main European laboratory for nuclear fusion-related work directed to supporting the development of ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) and exploiting JET (Joint European Torus). Moreover at FZK vacuum pumping development and environmental impact of tritium issues are addressed. Apart from the activities at FZK, there are several other sites in Germany, where theoretical and practical work on tritium for special R&D purposes is being performed.