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***************************************************************** The Conventional Fusion FAQ - Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Fusion Research http://FusEdWeb.pppl.gov/FAQ/fusion-faq.html Edited by Robert F. Heeter, email@example.com Last Revised June 26, 2000 ***************************************************************** This posting is a pointer to the full FAQ, which may be found on the Web at http://FusEdWeb.pppl.gov/FAQ/fusion-faq.html . This pointer simply indicates that there is in fact an FAQ and describes the content of the FAQ. *** 0) Contents of this Posting: 1) What is the Conventional Fusion FAQ? 2) Where can I find the Fusion FAQ? 3) What topics are covered in the Fusion FAQ? *** 1) What is the Conventional Fusion FAQ? * Overview: The Conventional Fusion FAQ is a comprehensive, relatively nontechnical set of answers to many of the frequently asked questions about fusion science, fusion energy, and fusion research. Additionally, there is a Glossary of Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy Research, which explains much of the jargon of the field. The Conventional Fusion FAQ originated as an attempt to provide answers to many of the typical, basic, or introductory questions about fusion research, and to provide a listing of references and other resources for those interested in learning more. The FAQ and Glossary also seek to facilitate communication regarding fusion by providing a common foundation for discussion. * Scope: This FAQ discusses only the conventional forms of fusion (magnetic confinement, inertial confinement, gravitational confinement and muon-catalyzed fusion), and not new/unconventional/speculative forms (including "cold fusion", sonoluminescence-induced fusion, or ball-lightning fusion). The FAQ strives to be non-controversial, balanced, and comprehensive within its scope, but it also necessarily reflects the balance of the contributions that are made to it. * Status and Disclaimers: Like fusion research itself, the Fusion FAQ is evolving, and is not a completed work. Depending on how much effort is being expended to maintain it at any given time, it may not be correct or up-to-date in all respects. In fact, with regard to the information in the FAQ, the editor disclaims everything and assumes no liability for any consequences arising from the distribution of the FAQ. Any information included in the FAQ reflects the perspective of the editor and contributors, and not their employers or anyone else. Finally, the FAQ is copyrighted and should not be distributed for profit without permission. In no case should the editor's name, the revision date, or this paragraph be removed. *** 2) Where can I find the Conventional Fusion FAQ? http://FusEdWeb.pppl.gov/FAQ/fusion-faq.html on the Web, is the official permanent home for the Fusion FAQ. Except for this pointer posting, none of the FAQ will be posted on the newsgroups in the future. The Glossary of Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy is also on the Web, at http://FusEdWeb.pppl.gov/Glossary/glossary.html *** 3) What topics are covered in the Fusion FAQ? The contents are subject to change. The current section listing is: Section 0 - Introduction Part 1/3 - Title Page Table of Contents How to Find the FAQ Current Status of the FAQ project Part 2/3 - Detailed Outline with List of Questions Part 3/3 - Revision History Section 1 - Fusion as a Physical Phenomenon Section 2 - Fusion as an Energy Source Part 1/5 - Technical Characteristics Part 2/5 - Environmental Characteristics Part 3/5 - Safety Characteristics (under development) Part 4/5 - Economic Characteristics (under development) Part 5/5 - Fusion for Space-Based Power (under development) Section 3 - Fusion as a Scientific Research Program (under development) Part 1/3 - Chronology of Events and Ideas (under development) Part 2/3 - Major Institutes and Policy Actors (under development) Part 3/3 - History of Achievements and Funding (under development) Section 4 - Confinement Methods / Approaches to Fusion (under development) Section 5 - Present Devices: Status and Plans (always under development) Section 6 - Recent Results (always under development) Section 7 - Educational Opportunities (under development) Section 8 - Internet Resources (under development) Section 9 - Future Plans (under development) Section 10 - Annotated Bibliography / Reading List Section 11 - Citations and Acknowledgements Glossary of Frequently Used Terms in Plasma Physics & Fusion: Introduction - List of Sources - A - B - C ... X - Y - Z ### Technicalities: # This is a Copyrighted FAQ. I only grant permission for this file to be freely distributed provided the revision date is retained and I am cited as the editor. # # Any and all errors are solely my responsibility. # # This posting is tagged as UCRL-MI-139258 by LLNL. "This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by University of California Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under contract No. W-7405-Eng-48." ####################### Robert F. Heeter, Ph.D. firstname.lastname@example.org Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory