The "Artificial Sun" worked for 20 seconds at 100 million degrees. This is a world record

The KSTAR project is being implemented by the Korea Fusion Energy Institute (KEF) together with the Seoul National

University (SNU) and American Columbiauniversity. During an experimental campaign in 2018, scientists managed to reach a plasma temperature of 100 million degrees and maintain it for one and a half seconds.

In 2019, plasma retention time was 8seconds And now researchers working at KSTAR have reported a new record - they were able to hold high-temperature plasma for 20 seconds.

Such a high temperature is needed to createartificial thermonuclear reactions - exactly the same as those that occur on the Sun. Hydrogen isotopes are placed inside a special thermonuclear device, they recreate the state of plasma on the star. In it, ions and electrons are separated, and the ions' task is to give off heat and remain stable at very high temperatures.

In order to achieve this balance, scientists used various thermonuclear devices, and they managed to achieve a temperature rise of up to 100 million degrees.

The success of the KSTAR experiment in the long-termhigh-temperature operation by overcoming some of the disadvantages of ITB modes brings us one step closer to the development of technologies for the implementation of nuclear fusion energy.

Yong-Soo Na, Professor, Department of Nuclear Engineering, SNU

Experiment details scientists promise to presentnext spring. Tests at KSTAR will continue until 2025. Their ultimate goal is to reach plasma temperatures above 100 million degrees and hold it for 300 seconds.

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