The present status and future prospects of the ITER project

ITER will be the first magnetic fusion experiment to operate under reactor-relevant plasma conditions and to demonstrate the key technologies needed for a practical source of electrical power. Regarding components in high radiation fields, ITER will reach a 14 MeV neutron power load on the first wall averaging 0.5 MW m(-2) and will accumulate a lifetime average fluence of > 0.3 MW am(-2). The ITER design was completed in July 2001 to the extent necessary to obtain a realistic cost estimate. Since then, technical work has focused on developing detailed specifications for the most urgent procurements. Meanwhile, negotiations on the joint construction of ITER should lead in early 2004 to signature/ratification of a Joint Implementation Agreement. The ITER International Fusion Energy Organisation (IIFEO) can then begin work during 2004, leading to the first plasma in 2014. This paper highlights ITER materials issues, and gives the present status of technical preparations and negotiations. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.