Overview of Finesse Effort on Fusion Nuclear Technology

FINESSE is a study concerned with technical planning of experiments and facilities for fusion nuclear technology research and development. The effort is focused on: a) understanding the key issues, b) developing the scientific basis for engineering scaling and experimental planning, and c) identifying the characteristics, role and timing of major facilities required. Fusion nuclear technology is found to have many of fusion's remaining unresolved feasibility and attractiveness issues. Resolving these issues requires new knowledge from experiments and theory. Non-neutron test stands can play an important role in liquid metal blanket experiments. Fission reactors have some limitations, but they provide the bulk heating and radiation effects necessary for many solid breeder blanket experiments. Concept verification for fusion nuclear components may not be possible prior to testing in fusion devices.