In the quest for sustainable and clean energy, nuclear fusion has long been a tantalizing prospect. Recent advancements in understanding and controlling magnetic instabilities in tokamaks, as detailed in a comprehensive review published in the journal *Nuclear Fusion* (which translates to “Nuclear Fusion”), are bringing this dream closer to reality. The review, led by Dr. I. Bandyopadhyay of ITER-India and the Homi Bhabha National Institute, synthesizes over a decade and a half of research, highlighting significant strides in managing magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities, a critical hurdle in achieving stable, burning plasma operations.
MHD instabilities, such as sawtooth oscillations, neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs), and resistive wall modes (RWMs), have been a persistent challenge in tokamak operations. These instabilities can disrupt the plasma, leading to losses in energy and potential damage to the reactor. The review underscores the progress made in understanding and controlling these phenomena. “Sawtooth activities are probably today one of the best understood of MHD events,” notes Dr. Bandyopadhyay, highlighting the development of robust control schemes that have enabled reliable tokamak operation through core heating.
Similarly, advancements in controlling NTMs, RWMs, and locked modes through techniques like electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) and error field control have significantly improved plasma stability. The application of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning methods has also revolutionized disruption prediction, although challenges remain. “Disruptions, their understanding, prediction, possible avoidance, and mitigation still remain probably the most active fields of R&D globally in this field,” Dr. Bandyopadhyay emphasizes, pointing to the critical need for further research to ensure the viability of future reactors like ITER and DEMO.
The implications of this research extend beyond the laboratory. As the world seeks to transition to cleaner energy sources, nuclear fusion holds the promise of virtually limitless, low-carbon energy. The progress in MHD stability and control is a crucial step towards making fusion energy a commercial reality. “This review is intended to present a broad spectrum of the R&D that has occurred in this field in support of ITER, which will also be of immense significance for all future machines, especially reactors like DEMO,” Dr. Bandyopadhyay explains, underscoring the broader impact of these advancements.
The journey towards commercial fusion energy is fraught with challenges, but the recent progress in MHD stability and control offers a beacon of hope. As researchers continue to push the boundaries of plasma physics, the dream of harnessing the power of the stars on Earth edges closer to becoming a reality, with profound implications for the global energy landscape.