Stellarator

A stellarator is a device used to confine a hot plasma with magnetic fields in order to sustain a controlled nuclear fusion reaction.

Related Topics:
Plasma - Nuclear fusion

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The magnetic field necessary to confine the plasma is completely generated by external coils. It was invented by Lyman Spitzer and the first devices were built at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory in 1951.

Related Topics:
Magnetic field - Lyman Spitzer - Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory - 1951

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The name was given to this early fusion concept because of the possibility of harnessing the power source of the sun.

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Some important stellarator experiments are Wendelstein, in Germany, and the Large Helical Device, in Japan. A new stellarator, NSCX, is currently being built at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.

Related Topics:
Wendelstein - Germany - Large Helical Device - Japan - Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

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