From the IAEA archives: a retrospective of nuclear fusion research

Since the early days of its inception, in 1957, the IAEA has supported nuclear fusion research. At the second United Nations Conference on the “Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy” in Geneva in 1958, discussion on nuclear fusion led to the newly created IAEA being entrusted with the responsibility to lead the global collaboration. Six decades later the IAEA remains the natural home for fostering international collaboration in fusion research and development through facilitating exchange of scientific and technical information. Supported by the dedicated community of fusion researchers in the Member States, the Nuclear Fusion journal was set up in 1960 by the IAEA to disseminate knowledge in this niche area of science. Today the journal is considered the main source of information about advances in nuclear fusion. Since 1961 the IAEA has also been organizing ‘Fusion Energy Conferences’ (initially named Conference on Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research) to enable the dedicated fusion research professionals to periodically discuss developments and achievements. The impetus for the establishment of the international organization for fusion energy, ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) in 2007, came from discussions in IAEA fora that covered several initiatives for collaboration on an international fusion facility. The IAEA Director General is the depository of the ITER Agreement.

All images are from the IAEA Archives.

Read this Nature Physics article to find out more about the history of fusion research.