ITER: Concept definition

On the basis of the results of the investigation carried out since May 1988, an ITER concept has been defined which incorporates the maximum possible flexibility and allows a variety of plasma configurations and operating scenarios. For technology experiments, with a full breeding blanket, the machine can be operated typically with a plasma of 18 MA at a major radius of 5.5 m. For the plasma physics experiments the same machine can, if required, be configured with a thinner shield and produce a plasma of 22 MA with fully inductive operation and higher currents under limited conditions. A list of important ITER specific physics and technology R and D tasks has been developed. Implementation of these tasks is now under way. (author). 5 refs, 1 fig., 3 tabs