Glossary
EPFL
The second isotope of hydrogen. Its nucleus contains one proton and one neutron.
The planned successor to ITER, serving as the transitional step before the first commercial fusion power plants. Its primary goal is to demonstrate the commercial viability of fusion energy.
Tool used to measure and monitor one or several properties of plasma during experiments.
The planned successor to ITER, serving as the transitional step before the first commercial fusion power plants. Its primary goal is to demonstrate the commercial viability of fusion energy.
Tool used to measure and monitor one or several properties of plasma during experiments.
The European Consortium for the Development of Fusion Energy. It manages European fusion research activities on behalf of Euratom.
A reaction where two light atomic nuclei merge to form a heavier nucleus, a small amount of mass is lost and a massive amount of energy is released.
A microwave high power source used to heat the electron in a plasma.
The removing or adding of one or several electrons to a neutral atom, thereby creating an ion.
One of several versions of the same element, possessing different numbers of neutrons but the same number of protons in their nuclei.
It’s the fourth state of matter. When temperatures become extremely high, electrons separate from nuclei, turning a gas into plasma – a hot, electrically charged state. Around 99% of the observable universe exists in this state, with examples including the Sun, lightning, and the northern lights.
A type of electrical conductor that permits a current to flow with zero resistance.
Short for “Tokamak à Configuration Variable,” is a tokamak operated by the Swiss Plasma Center of EPFL. Operated since 1992, it is notable for its unique ability to change the shape of the plasma.
A fusion device that confines plasma within a toroidal chamber using magnetic fields. The term “tokamak” comes from the Russian phrase TOroidalnaya KAmera + MAgnitnaya Katushka, which means “toroidal chamber with magnetic coils.”
The third isotope of hydrogen, containing one proton and two neutrons in the nucleus.
The planned successor to ITER, serving as the transitional step before the first commercial fusion power plants. Its primary goal is to demonstrate the commercial viability of fusion energy.
Tool used to measure and monitor one or several properties of plasma during experiments.
The European Consortium for the Development of Fusion Energy. It manages European fusion research activities on behalf of Euratom.