The physics and engineering of Alcator C-Mod

Alcator C-Mod is a new tokamak under construction at M.I.T. that promises to play an important and flexible role in the international fusion research effort. The physics and engineering features of the tokamak are described, giving an overview of the machine and plasma configurations. On the basis of empirical scaling laws, we predict the plasma confinement performance to be near DT equivalent breakeven. The planned experimental program is addressed to many of the vital physics questions still uncertain in high-performance tokamak plasma behaviour as well as to the investigation of innovative approaches to tokamak improvement. 17 refs., 17 figs., 3 tabs.