"Fusion energy research in the United States is managed by SC's Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (FES), which funds virtually all basic research conducted by U.S. scientists in the area of high energy density plasma physics. In addition, FES, in partnership with DOE's Scientific Stockpile Stewardship Program and the National Science Foundation, plays a role in all aspects of basic research in fusion and plasma science. The major challenge today is to make fusion energy practical by further advancing our scientific understanding of high-temperature plasmas. The current U.S. fusion research effort integrates core capabilities in the national laboratories, universities, and industry and has been restructured to focus on science objectives. A 1999 review by the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board concluded that the fusion challenge will be solved, and they endorsed the restructured fusion energy sciences program. This science-based approach focuses on achieving a predictive capability based on detailed experimental campaigns, sophisticated modeling, and terascale computing. Dramatic advances in the scientific understanding of fusion plasmas led the National Research Council in 2000 to conclude: "the quality of the science funded by the U.S. fusion research program in pursuit of a practical power source (the fusion energy goal) is easily on a par with other areas of contemporary physical science."

There are two distinct approaches to producing fusion energy: magnetic fusion energy (MFE) and inertial fusion energy (IFE). In MFE, plasma is confined by a magnetic field and held at the needed density and temperature. The fusion energy produced in a single magnetic confinement fusion experiment has risen by a factor of more than one trillion during the time period when computer speed has risen by a factor of one-hundred thousand. Along with this progress in fusion energy has come a much deeper understanding of the underlying plasma science. To date, MFE has been the primary subject of research worldwide for fusion energy applications. Consequently, the U.S. program is highly leveraged against the more than $1 billion in magnetic fusion research performed by other nations. MFE research is an international effort in which experimental results are openly shared and in which collaboration on experiments is extensive.

With IFE, powerful lasers of particle beams are focused on a small pellet of fuel for a few billionths of a second. IFE research has been pursued primarily as a key component of the DOE's Scientific Stockpile Stewardship Program. Leveraging off of this large investment is an excellent opportunity for FES because IFE may also present a promising path to practical fusion power.

The science-based approach to fusion offers the U.S. an affordable path to practical fusion energy and is advancing our knowledge of plasma physics and associated technologies, yielding near-term benefits in a broad range of disciplines. Examples include plasma processing of semiconductor chips for computers and other electronic devices, advanced video displays and innovative materials coatings."