How Does Gas Turn into Plasma and Fuse in a Magnetic Confinement Fusion Reactor?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the process of gas turning into plasma and fusing within a magnetic confinement fusion reactor. Initial heating to plasma is achieved through electrical current, specifically through "I Squared R losses," where I represents current and R represents resistance. The magnetic fields are crucial as they hold the plasma particles together, while additional heat from induced currents or electromagnetic radiation is applied to facilitate fusion. Ionization of the gas may occur before or during the heating process.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of "I Squared R losses" in electrical systems
  • Knowledge of plasma physics and ionization processes
  • Familiarity with magnetic confinement techniques in fusion reactors
  • Basic principles of electromagnetic radiation and its applications
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of magnetic confinement fusion reactors
  • Learn about the process of ionization in gas and plasma states
  • Explore the role of electromagnetic radiation in heating plasma
  • Study the effects of "I Squared R losses" in electrical engineering
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, engineers, and students interested in fusion energy, plasma physics, and magnetic confinement technologies.

TheJoninator
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Where does the heat come from? What pushes the atoms together?
 
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I recall the initial energy for heating to plasma is from electrical current. These "I Squared R losses" are I^2 X R where I is current and R is resistance.
 


Oh right, thanks mate. Does the magnetic field push the atoms together?
 


TheJoninator said:
Oh right, thanks mate. Does the magnetic field push the atoms together?

The magnetic fields hold the particles in the plasma together. The heat is applied through either an induced current or something like a laser or other EM radiation I believe. They turn on the electromagnets, introduce the gas, and then ionize and use the magnetic field to hold it together. (They might ionize it first however, I'm not sure.) Applying further heat gives the plasma enough energy to fuse.
 

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