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Discovery of spontaneous inflow and outflow states of high-temperature plasma by energetic ions - EurekAlert
Fusion energy is pivotal for achieving a decarbonized society and solving global energy challenges. To be viable, fusion reactor must confine ultra-high temperature plasma exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius within a magnetic field inside a vacuum vessel. A landmark discovery has been made by an international research team, led by Associate Professor Masaki Nishiura of the National Institute for Fusion Science, Toki, Gifu, Japan, Professor Takeshi Ido of Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu University, Kasuga, Fukuoka, Japan, and Professor Mirko Salewski of Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark. In the large helical device (LHD)*1, they observed that the inflow and outflow of high-temperature plasma spontaneously regulated by a unique state of high-energy ions*2. This breakthrough could lead to the development of high-performance plasma, reduce the size of fusion reactors, increase the output of fusion power, and improve the control of plasma burning conditions. The finding from this research have been prominently featured in the U.S. scientific journal Physics of Plasmas, published online on June 5. The paper has been honored as an Editor's Pick, marking a significant milestone in the field of plasma physics.
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