Snowmass Hot Topic Chamber Science and Technology Key Question Number 5 Core Working Group Opinion Paper Re-evaluation of the Use of Low Activation Materials in Waste Management Strategies for Fusion

Background Materials choice has long been recognized as a key factor in realizing the full safety and environmental potential of fusion power. Because the materials are de-coupled from the fusion energy source (the plasma), the long-term neutron-induced activation of components can be tailored by proper selection of materials to avoid generation of waste that would require deep geological disposal. Thus, the idea of “low activation” materials was conceived for the US fusion program with the hope that such material could be disposed of as low level waste (e.g., shallow land burial) and would not pose a burden to future generations.