Development of superconducting technology for fusion application in the world

Okuno, Kiyoshi; Takahashi, Yoshikazu; Koizumi, Norikiyo; Nakajima, Hideo

When we talk about the history and future perspective of superconducting technology, we recognize its important relation to fusion research. Magnetic confinement fusion devices, represented by a tokamak and helical systems, promoted the scale-up in size, high field and high performances of superconducting magnets, together with the production of superconductors at industry level. ITER will play this role in the first quarter of the 21st century. The construction of ITER has already started in Cadarache, France, with a milestone to obtain the 1st plasma in November 2019. The ITER participants have started their procurement activities for superconducting magnets to achieve this milestone. This is being performed with the highest superconducting technology at present and will bring a major progress in this area when completed.