ITER's Nuclear Fusion
ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) is an international research project that aims to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of nuclear fusion as a viable and sustainable energy source. It is a collaboration between 35 countries and is currently under construction in Saint-Paul-lès-Durance, France.
Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the Sun and other stars, where light atomic nuclei, typically isotopes of hydrogen, combine to form heavier elements, releasing vast amounts of energy in the process. The goal of ITER is to replicate this process on Earth and develop a practical fusion power plant.
The ITER project involves the construction of a tokamak, which is a magnetic confinement device used to confine and control the plasma where fusion reactions occur. The tokamak at ITER will be the largest and most advanced of its kind. It will have a doughnut-shaped chamber surrounded by powerful magnets to create a magnetic field that will confine and control the superheated plasma of hydrogen isotopes.
The primary objective of ITER is to achieve a "burning plasma" state, where the energy released by fusion reactions exceeds the energy input required to sustain the plasma. This milestone is known as achieving "ignition" and is considered a critical step towards practical fusion energy production.
If successful, ITER could pave the way for the development of fusion power plants that offer a number of advantages over conventional nuclear fission reactors. Fusion power has the potential to provide a nearly limitless and clean energy source, with abundant fuel supplies, minimal waste generation, and no greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is a complex and technically challenging endeavor that requires the precise control of extremely high temperatures and pressures.
The construction of ITER began in 2010, and it is expected to achieve its first plasma experiments in the late 2020s. The project represents a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable energy sources and holds great promise for the future of global energy production.
