Nuclear fusion is a process that uses the nuclei of light elements to combine to produce enormous amounts of energy, which is why the sun and stars shine and heat. If humans were able to control nuclear fusion, they could have access to virtually unlimited, clean, and safe energy. To achieve this goal, Japan and the European Union have jointly built a large-scale nuclear fusion experimental device called JT-60SA, located at the National Institute of Quantum Science and Technology in Naka, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
On December 1, the JT-60SA began its first plasma operation, a significant milestone that marked the official commissioning of the unit. The JT-60SA is a tokamak-type nuclear fusion device that uses a powerful electromagnetic field to confine a high-temperature and high-pressure plasma (ionized gas) in an annular vacuum chamber to achieve the conditions required for nuclear fusion. The goal of the JT-60SA is to produce high-quality plasma and explore ways to achieve steady-state fusion to provide technical support for future commercial fusion power plants.
The JT-60SA is part of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) program, an international collaboration involving 35 countries and territories to build the world's largest nuclear fusion experimental device, proving that nuclear fusion is capable of producing net energy. The JT-60SA will complement ITER, providing data and experience for ITER's design, operation, and optimization.
The construction of the JT-60SA began in 2013, and after many delays and difficulties, all installation and commissioning work was finally completed in October this year. The operation of the JT-60SA will continue until 2030, during which a number of key physical and engineering experiments will be carried out to contribute to the development of nuclear fusion energy.
Nuclear fusion energy is an energy dream pursued by mankind, and it is also an important choice to deal with climate change and energy crisis. The operation of Japan's large-scale nuclear fusion experimental facility is another step towards realizing the dream of an artificial sun.