2. Tokamak Tore Supra

2.1 Objectives and features

Tore Supra is one of the five large tokamaks currently in operation worldwide. Its specifications are given in table 1 . Its main purpose is to experiment with long-duration pulses. It is the first large-scale tokamak in which the toroidal DC field is created by a superconducting winding; in addition, it is experimenting with ways of generating current in the plasma by accelerating electrons using electromagnetic waves, which thus take over from the inducting coils. These two features enable Tore Supra to overcome, at least in part, the limitation on pulse duration caused by the heating of copper coils. In 1996, 2-minute pulses were produced. In particular, this makes it possible to tackle the problems...