Thermonuclear reactions

Present (1986) state of the art of the world thermonuclear research is briefly surveyed. During the last three decades, plasma parameters in experimental devices are slowly but steadily approaching the limit of the break-even given by the Lawson criterion. Both the magnetic and inertial confinement schemes are intensively investigated. Among various alternative ways of magnetic confinement, the decisive proof of feasibility of the controlled fusion is expected from the new generation tokamaks. In the last period, substantial progress was achieved in the methods of additional plasma heating (pellet and neutral beam injection and high-frequency heating). Also encouraging results on the non-inductive current drive were obtained. The main results of experiments on large tokamaks are recapitulated and further prospects of international cooperation discussed. The Czechoslovak contributions in the field in the question are mentioned. (J.V.). 3 figs., 1 tab., 12 refs