Critical Technology Issues and Development Requirements for a Fusion Development Facility

Parameters and physics and technology performance of the Fusion Development Facility (FDF), a 13-MA volume neutron source and fusion materials and component test facility are described and plasma and nuclear technology development requirements summarized. The programmatic means by which the mostly not-yet-available ‘critical technologies’ need for FDF can be realized by 2015, when high-performance operation could first commence, are suggested. Given the timely availability of these critical ‘enabling technologies’, an iterative 15-year test and development program for attaining reactor-qualified materials and technologies then becomes possible.