heliotronstellarator

The heliotronstellarator is a type of magnetic confinement fusion device that combines features of both stellarators and tokamaks. Like stellarators, it uses a complex, three-dimensional magnetic field configuration to confine the plasma. However, it also incorporates a strong toroidal magnetic field component, similar to tokamaks, which is generated by external coils. This hybrid approach aims to leverage the advantages of both device types, potentially achieving stable plasma confinement without the need for large plasma currents that can be problematic in tokamaks.

The magnetic field in a heliotronstellarator is generated by a combination of helical coils and toroidal coils. The helical coils create a twisted magnetic field, which is characteristic of stellarators and helps to prevent plasma instabilities. The toroidal coils provide a supplementary toroidal field, which can improve confinement and reduce ripple losses. By carefully designing the geometry and current distribution in these coils, researchers aim to create a magnetic cage that effectively traps the hot plasma, allowing fusion reactions to occur.

Research into heliotronstellarators has been conducted in various countries, with a focus on understanding the complex plasma behavior and optimizing the magnetic field configuration for efficient confinement. The goal is to achieve sustained fusion reactions that produce more energy than is consumed, a crucial step towards developing fusion power as a clean and virtually inexhaustible energy source. While still in the experimental phase, heliotronstellarator designs represent an ongoing effort to find optimal solutions for magnetic fusion.