Requirements for collision data on the species helium, beryllium and boron in magnetic confinement fusion

Requirements for collision data on helium, beryllium and boron are reviewed in the light of the directions of present and planned tokamak fusion experiments. The occurrence of the atoms and ions of these species and their roles in plasma behaviour and diagnostic measurements are described. Special emphasis is placed on alpha particle detection in reacting plasmas and on beryllium and boron in divertor configuration machines. The atomic reactions required to exploit the species in models and diagnostic analysis are gathered together and their relative importance indicated. The paper is an introduction to the detailed studies of collision cross-sections presented in the other contributions to this volume. (author). 29 refs, 2 figs