Recent advances at the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility IFMIF

As the qualification of materials under fusion-specific conditions is inevitable for construction and long-term operation of fusion power reactors, a suitable intense neutron source has become a major element in fusion strategy scenarios. The accelerator driven International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility, IFMIF; is the only intense neutron source that combines fusion-specific irradiation conditions, technical maturity for timely construction, and high availability. The development of IFMIF is being conducted as an international collaboration under the auspices of the IEA. The main objective of the current KEP (Key Element Technology Phase, 2000-2002) is to verify relevant component designs on a laboratory scale. Preparations are underway to enter an Engineering Validation Phase that includes experimental verification of major subsystems an well as establishing all engineering data for licensing and construction. An overview on the present status of the IFMIF project is presented together with highlights of KEP achievements and future plans leading to the facility construction. (author)