The report states, "The consensus of the Panel is that the physics requirements and capabilities of the pre-conceptual design of the NCSX experiment represent an appropriate approach to developing the design of a Proof of Principle scale experiment that is the central element in a program to establish the attractiveness of the Compact Stellarator (CS) concept." They found, moreover, that "the choice of the Quasi-Axisymmetric (QAS) approach for a PoP class low aspect ratio, high beta stellarator experiment is appropriate because of its promise of improved confinement and its commonality with the well developed scientific understanding of axisymmetric toroidal plasmas."

The report also contained twenty-nine recommendations on issues ranging from project design requirements and analysis tasks to the broader needs of the compact stellarator program including theory and reactor studies. The project is developing a detailed response to the recommendations and is incorporating them into the work plans in preparation for the April 2002, Conceptual Design Review.

The report is posted on the NCSX project web site at http://www.pppl.gov/ncsx/pvr/pvr.html.