The plasma in a tokamak fusion reactor is so hot, only pulsed transformers
have so far been able to generate magnetic fields strong enough to contain it.
Now Swiss physicists have shown that beaming powerful microwaves into a
doughnut-shaped tokamak can create a strong, steady magnetic field—a
significant step towards a practical reactor (Physical Review Letters,
vol 84, p 3322). A team at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne
ran their microwave source for two seconds, but say longer-operating sources are
in development.
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from Âé¶¹´«Ã½
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending Âé¶¹´«Ã½ articles
1
Neanderthal infants were enormous compared with modern humans
2
The rise, the fall and the rebound of cyclic cosmology
3
Largest ever map of universe captures 47 million galaxies and quasars
4
Collapse of key ocean current may release billions of tonnes of carbon
5
The biggest threat to Chernobyl is no longer radiation
6
Monkeys walk around a virtual world using only their thoughts
7
Why cloning anyone – even Jim Carrey – isn't the best plan ever
8
How autoimmune conditions can unexpectedly drive mental illness
9
The stunning physics of Project Hail Mary go back to ancient China
10
Probiotic cream that ramps up heat production could prevent frostbite



