The JET enhancement programme

A vast enhancement programme is being implemented at JET since early 2000. The general objectives of the programme are: (a) To extend the present JET operating domain in preparation for ITER (b) To use JET as a technological test-bed for ITER and support design choices for some of the ITER subsystems. The programme includes a substantial upgrade of the heating system (up to +15 MW) and of plasma diagnostics and control capabilities, an improvement of the pellet fuelling system, and a modification to the present divertor for high triangularity and high power ITER-like plasmas. Some important steps are presently being achieved, like the upgrade of the neutral beam injector heating system at JET Octant 8. A major shutdown is planned for 2004 in order to install a series of new systems - including an ITER-like ICRH antenna which will be brought into operation in 2005. This 60-M/spl euro/-programme is conducted in the general frame of the European Fusion Development Agreement (EFDA), which includes the collective use of JET by the various European national laboratories. Significant contributions are also being made by US laboratories. The enhancements will reinforce the role of JET - which has already worldwide unique features for a reactor oriented research programme in preparation of ITER: (1) advance on tokamak physics, in particular on burning plasma physics (2) technological developments (3) management of a complex, international experiment. This paper presents, after a brief introduction to JET and the current EFDA-JET organization, an overview of the enhancement programme. Due to space limitations, only a few projects will be described in more details.