Figure of merit for a magnetic fusion reactor

This paper deals with the economics of magnetic fusion reactors. The author proposes and defines figure of merit for a fusion reactor as a method of evaluating the economics of fusion reactors. The figures of merit are useful to compare the economics of fusion and fission reactors of various types. Using the above-mentioned formula, trial calculations were made as to several conceptual commercial reactors. STARFIRE, Heliotron-H, TR-B3, and MARS. The calculations were modified for comparison purposes on the same data base, the same margin, and the same optimization of original design. The result is as follows: the figure of merit, F, or the economics is the best in heliotrons (Heliotron-H-M), tokamaks (STARFIRE-M) are second, and tandem mirrors (MARS-M) are third