Tokamak

From WikiMD's WELLNESSPEDIA

Tokamak is a device used in nuclear fusion research for magnetic confinement of plasma. It is one of several types of magnetic confinement devices being developed to produce controlled thermonuclear fusion power. As of 2021, it is the leading candidate for a practical fusion reactor.

History[edit]

The tokamak was invented in the 1950s by Soviet physicists Igor Tamm and Andrei Sakharov, inspired by an original idea of Oleg Lavrentiev. The name is a Russian acronym for "toroidal chamber with magnetic coils".

Design and operation[edit]

A tokamak is essentially a torus, or doughnut-shaped vessel, in which a powerful magnetic field is used to confine a plasma of ions and electrons. The magnetic field is produced by a combination of external coils and a large current flowing in the plasma itself. The plasma is heated to temperatures of tens of millions of degrees, at which point the ions can overcome their mutual repulsion and fuse together, releasing a large amount of energy.

Major tokamaks[edit]

Several major tokamaks have been built around the world, including the Joint European Torus (JET) in the UK, the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) in the US, and the T-15 in Russia. The largest and most ambitious tokamak project currently underway is the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France, which is expected to be the first tokamak to produce a net gain in energy.

Challenges and criticism[edit]

Despite its promise, the tokamak approach to fusion power has faced several challenges. These include the difficulty of maintaining a stable plasma, the high cost of building and operating large tokamaks, and the problem of neutron radiation damage to the tokamak's structure. Some critics also argue that other approaches to fusion power, such as inertial confinement fusion or magnetic mirror devices, may be more promising.

See also[edit]

Stub icon

This physics-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding the page.

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Retrieved from "https://wikimd.org/index.php?title=Tokamak&oldid=6325187"