UK Engineers Achieve Fusion Breakthrough with Plasma Control

A team of scientists at the UK Atomic Energy Authority has reached a significant milestone in fusion energy research by stabilizing plasma using a groundbreaking method involving 3D magnetic coils. This achievement, announced in March 2024, represents a critical step toward making nuclear fusion a practical and limitless source of energy.

The innovation took place at the MAST Upgrade, the largest spherical tokamak currently in operation. Commissioned by the UKAEA and the European Atomic Energy Community, this nuclear fusion experiment began its operations in 2020 at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy in Oxfordshire. By successfully applying a 3D magnetic field, the team managed to suppress a common instability known as Edge Localised Modes (ELMs), which can disrupt the fusion process and damage reactor components.

Nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun and stars, involves merging atomic nuclei to release vast amounts of energy. In a tokamak, powerful magnets are employed to control the plasma necessary for this reaction. At MAST Upgrade, researchers confine fusion fuel at extremely high temperatures to create plasma that facilitates the fusion reaction. However, maintaining stability is crucial, as fluctuations in pressure, density, or current can lead to instability and affect performance.

In a press statement, James Harrison, Head of MAST Upgrade Science at UKAEA, highlighted the importance of this development: “Suppressing ELMs in a spherical tokamak is a landmark achievement. It demonstrates that advanced control techniques developed for conventional tokamaks can be successfully adapted to compact configurations.” This breakthrough not only contributes to the scientific understanding of fusion but also lays the groundwork for future energy production technologies, such as the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) program.

The recent experiment was conducted during MAST Upgrade’s fourth scientific campaign, which primarily focused on plasma properties and controlling plasma exhaust. The application of Resonant Magnetic Perturbation (RMP) coils at the plasma edge allowed the researchers to completely suppress ELMs for the first time in a spherical tokamak. This advancement is expected to alleviate a significant challenge in achieving viable nuclear fusion, paving the way for the design of future ELM control systems.

The UK government has committed £2.5 billion to nuclear fusion research, with the goal of producing net electricity from fusion by 2040. The findings from this experiment will directly inform the ongoing development of the STEP program, which aims to harness the potential of fusion energy as a sustainable power source.

As the scientific community continues to explore the possibilities of fusion energy, this recent breakthrough by the UKAEA marks a pivotal moment in the quest for clean, limitless energy. The successful stabilization of plasma could ultimately lead to significant advancements in energy production, addressing global energy demands while minimizing environmental impact.