KSTAR Achieves New Milestones in Fusion Energy Research

Why in News?

The Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) device has achieved a new milestone by sustaining plasma in high-confinement mode (H-mode) for 102 seconds. During the same experimental campaign, it maintained plasma at 100 million°C for 48 seconds, setting a new KSTAR record.

Key Highlights

Record Plasma Performance

• KSTAR sustained plasma in H-mode for 102 seconds during experiments conducted between December 2023 and February 2024.
• The reactor maintained plasma at 100 million°C for 48 seconds.
• The previous KSTAR record for sustaining 100 million°C plasma was 30 seconds in 2021.
• These achievements are important milestones toward long-duration fusion reactions.

What is KSTAR?

• KSTAR stands for Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research.
• It is a superconducting tokamak located in Daejeon, South Korea.
• The facility is operated by the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE).

High-Confinement Mode (H-Mode)

• H-mode is a plasma operating regime first observed in 1982.
• It improves the confinement of heat and particles inside plasma.
• Better confinement increases the efficiency and stability of fusion reactions.
• Plasma temperatures of around 100 million°C are required for deuterium-tritium fusion experiments.

Divertor Upgrade

• KSTAR upgraded its reactor in 2023 by replacing carbon-based divertors with tungsten divertors.
• A divertor removes heat, impurities, and exhaust particles from the plasma edge.
• Tungsten has a melting point of 3,422°C, making it suitable for extreme fusion conditions.
• Under similar heat loads, tungsten divertors showed only a 25% increase in surface temperature compared with previous components.

Long-Term Goal

• KSTAR aims to sustain high-performance plasma for 300 seconds.
• The latest achievements bring scientists closer to developing commercially viable fusion energy.

Related Organizations and Projects

Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE)

• National fusion research institute of South Korea.
• Operates and manages KSTAR.

ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor)

• World’s largest fusion energy project under construction in France.
• Involves international partners including the European Union, India, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and the United States.
• Uses tokamak technology for demonstrating fusion power generation.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

• Promotes international cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear and fusion technologies.

Mains Relevance

Fusion energy is considered a potential source of clean, safe, and virtually limitless energy. Advances in KSTAR and other tokamak-based projects are crucial for achieving sustainable energy security and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.