Automation of nonlinear calculations in the theory of fusion reactor

1) Introduction: The difficulties of the formulation of the equations of phenomena occurring during the operation of a fusion reactor are underlined. 2) The possibilities presented by analog computation of the solution of nonlinear differential equations are enumerated. The accuracy and limitations of this method are discussed. 3) The analog solution in the stationary problem of the measurement of the discharge confinement is given and comparison with experimental results. 4) The analog solution of the dynamic problem of the evolution of the discharge current in a simple case is given and it is compared with experimental data. 5) The analog solution of the motion of an isolated ion in the electromagnetic field is given. A spatial field simulator used for this problem (bidimensional problem) is described. 6) The analog solution of the preceding problem for a tridimensional case for particular geometrical configurations using simultaneously 2 field simulators is given. 7) A method of computation derived from Monte Carlo method for the study of dynamic of plasma is described. 8) Conclusion: the essential differences between the analog computation of fission reactors and fusion reactors are analysed. In particular the theory of control of a fusion reactor as described by SCHULTZ is discussed and the results of linearized formulations are compared with those of nonlinear simulation. (author)