Plasma physics and controlled nuclear fusion research

This paper summarizes progress in the Tokamak field since 1984. Control of the current density distribution is believed to be crucial to the success of Tokamak devices. The problem with non-inductively driven current is the inefficiency of the available methods. Recent cases have stabilized the sawtooth oscillations. Some evidence for the existence of bootrap current has been documented. Many heating methods are now routinely applied at the mult megawatt level in tokamaks. High temperatures and good performance have generally been achieved by the production of pure plasmas, and much work has been done on modifying edge plasma behavior. Additional progress has been made in the areas of confinement density and beta limits, and pellet injection