Nuclear fusion

During the last ten years there was a considerable approach to solve the main problem of a continuously working nuclear fusion reactor, the production of a hot D-T-plasma (approximately 108 K) confined by a magnetic field in a way that the power losses caused by radiation and thermal conduction are compensated by the nuclear fusion reactions. The most evident progress was obtained with the socalled Tokamak, a toroidal magnetically confined gaseous discharge. The results of the Tokamaks are used to demonstrate the state of the art in fusion plasma physics. Other approaches with magnetically as well as inertially confined plasmas (laser-, electron- and ionbeam-fusion) are briefly reviewed. Technological problems of a nuclear fusion reactor are discussed based on a Tokamak nuclear fusion reactor concept together with questions concerning fuel resources and safety aspects. (orig.)