Prospects for energy by thermonuclear fusion

There is an increasing demand for energy worldwide. Conventional sources of energy are exhaustible. As a consequence, research efforts have continued for an alternative inexhaustible source of energy, an endless supply of readily available cheap fuel to secure the continued existence of human civilization. The possibility of energy release as a result of fusion of light elements, like hydrogen isotopes, seems to be the key solution for the worlds energy needs. This paper presents a description of the basic scientific principles and condition necessary for the successful fusion of light nuclei and release of fusion energy. A survey is given of plasma confinement schemes including both electromagnetic confinement, and inertial confinement systems using particle or laser beams. In the magnetic confinement emphasis is given to the Tokamak which is the most promising as a fusion reactor. A survey is made of the world Tokamak program, which is a major part of the world fusion effort. The future outlook, including the international project ITER, is outlined.