A Japanese-European tokamak device has achieved a record-breaking plasma volume of 160 cubic meters. The JT-60SA, also known as the world’s largest tokamak, used powerful superconducting magnets cooled to nearly -452 degrees Fahrenheit to hold a plasma that reached an astonishing 212 million degrees Fahrenheit.
Developed by Japan and Europe, the device aims to achieve early practical application of fusion energy. According to the National Institutes for Quantum and Science and Technology (QST), the experimental results confirm that a plasma volume of 160 cubic meters was achieved, far exceeding the previous record of 100 cubic meters set by other devices.
The QST plans to apply the knowledge gained from JT-60SA to future reactors, including ITER and DEMO. The organization claims that powerful superconducting coils cooled to approximately -452.2 degrees Fahrenheit are used to confine plasma that can reach such extreme temperatures.
This achievement not only contributes to the control of larger plasmas but also paves the way for the development of more advanced fusion reactors like DEMO, which aims to demonstrate the power generation and economic efficiency of fusion energy. The success of JT-60SA is a testament to its unique capabilities, including generating long-pulse, high-beta, and highly shaped plasmas.
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/energy/world-largest-tokamak-jt-60sa-plasma