A full and heterogeneous model of the ITER tokamak for comprehensive nuclear analyses

ITER is the flagship fusion project, conceived as an experiment to select and develop the technologies for the first demonstration reactor, DEMO. Nuclear analysis is a core discipline in support of the design, commissioning and operation of the machine. To date, it has been conducted with increasingly detailed partial models, which represented toroidal segments of the tokamak. However, the limitations of this methodology became evident as estimates of quantities relevant to design, safety and operation showed unquantifiable uncertainties, which is a risk. Here, we present a detailed and realistic 360° MCNP model of the ITER tokamak called E-lite. We demonstrate the model’s usability and practicality. Two examples are used to illustrate qualitatively and quantitatively how it solves previously intractable problems with marked benefits for the future nuclear analysis of ITER, with applications to DEMO and future reactors. E-lite constitutes a milestone in the field of nuclear analysis in terms of realism in the evaluation of key quantities. The development of nuclear fusion reactors requires detailed nuclear analyses to ensure they run safely and effectively. These are currently typically done using partial models. Juarez et al. now present a complete 360° model of the ITER tokamak, which allows for more realistic and complete modelling of the system.