JET status and prospects

A description of the technical status of the JET (Joint European Torus) machine and essential systems is given first. A feature of 1991 operation is the presence in the JET vessel of both graphite and beryllium X-point dump plates, in order to carry out a comparative assessment of these two materials. The 1991 experimental program has been successful and has included the study of a number of operation modes relevant to the next generation of machines. However, performance is still limited by impurity influxes. The pumped divertor experiment planned to start in 1993 aims at testing impurity control techniques in conditions relevant for the next step. In preparation for the deuterium-tritium phase of operation, an experiment using a small quantity of tritium in JET is planned. This experiment is expected to yield essential information on physics, technological, and safety aspects of tritium operation