The extensive design effort for KSTAR has been focused on two major aspects of the KSTAR
project mission - steady-state-operation capability and advanced tokamak physics. The steady
state aspect of the mission is reflected in the choice of superconducting magnets, provision of
actively cooled in-vessel components, and long pulse current drive and heating systems. The
advanced tokamak aspect of the mission is incorporated in the design features associated with
flexible plasma shaping, double null divertor and passive stabilizers, internal control coils and
a comprehensive set of diagnostics. Substantial progress in engineering has been made on
superconducting magnets, the vacuum vessel, plasma facing components and power supplies. The
new KSTAR experimental facility with cryogenic system and deionized water cooling and main
power systems has been designed, and the construction work is under way for completion
in 2004.
The Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR)
project is the major effort of the national fusion programme of the Republic of Korea. Its aim is
to develop a steady state capable advanced superconducting tokamak to
establish a scientific and technological basis for an attractive fusion
reactor. The major parameters of the tokamak are: major radius 1.8 m, minor
radius 0.5 m, toroidal field 3.5 T and plasma current 2 MA, with a
strongly shaped plasma cross-section and double null divertor. The initial
pulse length provided by the poloidal magnet system is 20 s, but the pulse
length can be increased to 300 s through non-inductive current drive. The
plasma heating and current drive system consists of neutral beams,
ion cyclotron waves, lower hybrid waves and electron cyclotron waves for
flexible profile control in advanced tokamak operating modes. A
comprehensive set of diagnostics is planned for plasma control,
performance evaluation and physics understanding. The project has
completed its conceptual design and moved to the engineering design and
construction phase. The target date for the first plasma is 2002.
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