Shielding Design

The STEP design will include superconducting magnets within its center column which will be subjected to large high-energy neutron fluxes from the plasma. If unprotected, the neutron bombardment of the superconducting magnets results in an operating lifetime of only a few hours. To address this, an in-board neutron shield is needed to reduce the neutron flux reaching the superconducting magnets and prolong their operational lifetime to a viable level.