Principle physics developments evaluated in the ITER design review

As part of the ITER Design Review and in response to the issues identified by the STAC, the physics requirements were reviewed and as appropriate updated. This was a worldwide effort, with major contributions from the ITPA. This synopsis will give an overview of the main issues that were addressed and are presently being considered by the IO. The following topics will be discussed: sensitivity of fusion power production to machine parameters (Bt, Ip, κ); plasma shaping and vertical stabilization; heat load and requirements for plasma-facing components; effect of toroidal field (TF) ripple on fast ion and thermal confinement; Edge Localized Modes (ELM) control; Resistive Wall Modes (RWM) control; and disruptions and disruption mitigation. (author)