Chinese fusion experiment generates an electronic temperature of more than 100 million degrees

A team of Chinese researchers conducted an experiment dubbed the "Chinese Artificial Sun" using the Experimental Advanced Supraconducting Tokamak (EAST) fusion device. The EAST device conducts a four-month experiment to determine the degree of heat of the electron temperature inside the fusion device. Scientists were able to reach an electron temperature in the central plasma of more than 100 million degrees.

The experiment has advanced the road map established by China for the production of Tokamak-based fusion energy. The problem with all fusion energy production experiments at the present time is that, until now, no net energy gain has occurred. The EAST team used four types of heating power in their experiment, including lower hybrid wave heating, electron cyclotron heating, ion cyclotron resonance heating, and neutral ion heating.

The power injection in the experiment exceeded 10 MW, and the energy stored in the plasma was increased to 300 kJ after the team optimized the coupling of different heating techniques with the use of advanced plasma control system and prediction theory / simulation. Experiments on plasma equilibrium and instability as well as confinement and transport, plasma-wall interaction, and energetic particle physics have been demonstrated.

The team stated that it was able to perform a completely non-inductive steady-state scenario with high containment factor, high density, and increased high energy confinement factor during test operations. One of the keys to this experiment was the team's work to solve particle and power exhaust problems, which is essential for high-performance, steady-state operation.

The results of these tests provided scientists with essential data for validation of current heat, transport and entrainment models. Researchers focus on optimizing the third evolution fusion machine with a larger 7 m radium, a 2 m minor radium, a 6.5-7 Tesla toroidal magnetic field, and a plasma stream. of 13 mA. A US-based team is currently working on new magnets that they believe could help increase power output in their melting experience.