Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak
Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak
The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), also known as HT-7U (Hefei Tokamak 7 Upgrade), is a magnetic fusion energy reactor located in Hefei, China. It is operated by the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science for the Chinese Academy of Sciences. EAST represents a significant advancement in the pursuit of controlled nuclear fusion, a process that has the potential to provide virtually unlimited, clean energy.
Design and Technology
EAST was completed in 2006 and was notable for being the first tokamak to use superconducting toroidal and poloidal field magnets made from niobium-titanium. This design allows EAST to achieve the high magnetic fields necessary to confine plasma at the temperatures required for nuclear fusion. The use of superconducting magnets allows for the creation of stable magnetic fields without the massive energy input that conventional electromagnets require.
The reactor has been designed as a testbed for technologies to be used in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a large-scale fusion experiment that aims to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion power on a commercial scale. China is a member of the ITER consortium, and insights from EAST are expected to contribute significantly to ITER's success.
Achievements
EAST has achieved several milestones in the field of fusion research. On December 30, 2021, it set a world record by maintaining a long-pulse high-parameter plasma operation for 1056 seconds. Moreover, on April 12, 2023, EAST achieved the world's first 403-second steady-state H-mode plasma. This accomplishment was surpassed on January 20, 2025, when EAST sustained plasma for 1066 seconds, once again setting a new world record.
These long-duration plasma operations are crucial for demonstrating the feasibility of continuous fusion energy production, which is necessary for future commercial fusion power plants. EAST's success in achieving these milestones underscores the significant progress being made in the realm of fusion energy research.
Historical Context
EAST followed China's first superconducting tokamak device, known as HT-7, which was developed in the early 1990s by the Institute of Plasma Physics in collaboration with Russia. The proposal for EAST was first made in 1996 and received approval in 1998. Construction of the site facilities began in 2003, and the assembly of the tokamak took place between 2003 and 2005.
Significance
The advancements made by EAST are significant because they bring the scientific community closer to the goal of sustainable nuclear fusion, a technology that could revolutionize energy production by providing a safe, sustainable, and environmentally friendly energy source. The success of EAST and similar devices, such as the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR), represents a global effort to harness the power of fusion.