Now I left plasma physics for other areas of physics and engineering 50 years ago, but my concern with fusion reactors is neutron damage and (for DT fusion) Tritium breeding efficiency. In implosion fusion the optics or forward beam components are going to be exposed to the hot neutron flux. In magnetic confinement fusion the first wall is going to be exposed to the hot neutron flux. This suggests to me a rather short component lifetime driving a lower duty cycle and correspondingly high capital costs. At least in fission most of the radiation damage is confined to the fuel and cladding, which are consumables. How do you see this being managed.
Now I left plasma physics for other areas of physics and engineering 50 years ago, but my concern with fusion reactors is neutron damage and (for DT fusion) Tritium breeding efficiency. In implosion fusion the optics or forward beam components are going to be exposed to the hot neutron flux. In magnetic confinement fusion the first wall is going to be exposed to the hot neutron flux. This suggests to me a rather short component lifetime driving a lower duty cycle and correspondingly high capital costs. At least in fission most of the radiation damage is confined to the fuel and cladding, which are consumables. How do you see this being managed.