Some Observations on Future Directions in Fusion Energy Research

Over the years the author has written, coordinated, or contributed to numerous reviews of fusion energy. In revisiting them, he is encouraged by the tremendous progress that has been made across the board. Nevertheless, while he believes that a viable fusion reactor could be made in both magnetic and inertial fusion energy, he doesn't think the best approach has yet been identified in either area. Also there remain a number of critical, hardly-explored areas. The author identifies three key issues. Finally, he comments briefly on all the major confinement approaches.