FMIT — Status update

The Fusion Materials Irradiation Test (FMIT) Facility was proposed as the only facility that could provide the intense neutron environment required for the development of long lifetime fusion reactor materials. In the FMIT, neutrons would be produced by the interaction of 35 MeV deuterons with a flowing liquid lithium target. Materials irradiations would be performed in a specially designed test cell containing the target and test equipment. Design of the plant and the major subsystems is advanced to the point where construction could begin immediately. Completion of FMIT would then take about four years, and initial materials test data would be available 2–3 y thereafter. Since 1982, completion of the FMIT has depended upon reaching an agreement for international collaboration on the Project. This paper describes the facility, its testing role, the status of the design and development work, and the progress made toward internationalization.