In a groundbreaking development, the KSTAR fusion reactor in Korea achieved a new milestone by reaching a temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius for the first time. During tests conducted between December 2023 and February 2024, the reactor successfully maintained this temperature for 48 seconds, setting a new record for the Korea Tokamak Superconducting Advanced Research (KSTAR) project.
The success of the KSTAR reactor is attributed to the implementation of a new tungsten diverter, which expels exhaust gases and impurities from the reactor while enduring high surface heat loads. By switching to tungsten from carbon in the diverter, the KSTAR team was able to improve heat resistance and maintain H mode for extended periods. This breakthrough could provide valuable insights for future fusion reactors, such as the International Thermal Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, which aims to develop a thermonuclear reactor using tungsten diverters.
In addition to maintaining extreme temperatures and plasma conditions for prolonged durations, the KSTAR reactor also achieved H mode operation for more than 100 seconds. This operating mode is crucial for stabilizing the plasma state in magnetically confined fusion reactions. The goal of fusion reactors is to mimic the energy production process of stars, where hydrogen nuclei and other light elements are fused to generate massive amounts of energy, potentially leading to limitless carbon-free electricity.
The success of this experiment marks a significant advancement in fusion energy research and provides hope for cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. The use of innovative materials like tungsten in diverter technology represents a significant step forward in achieving practical applications for fusion energy technology.
In conclusion, the achievement of sustaining extreme temperatures and plasma conditions for prolonged durations is crucial in advancing fusion energy research. The innovative use of materials like tungsten in diverter technology represents an essential step towards achieving practical applications for fusion energy technology.
