chanelink logo
CHANELINK
繁体中文

Oxford University Tokamak Energy Company develops laser technology for fusion power plants

944
2024-03-14 15:00:07
查看翻譯

Tokamak Energy is currently developing a new laser measurement technology for controlling extreme conditions inside fusion power plants.
The laser based dispersion interferometer system is being tested at the company's headquarters in Oxford and will be installed on its world record breaking fusion machine ST40 later this year.

Clean, safe, and renewable nuclear fusion power generation occurs inside the tokamak, which is a device that heats plasma to over 100 million degrees Celsius.
A professional laser system will closely and accurately measure the hydrogen fuel contained inside, ensuring that the burning plasma remains stable and maintains density.

Dr. Tadas Pyragius, a plasma physicist at Tokamak Energy, explained, "Measuring plasma density is key to our understanding and control of fusion fuels and future efficient power plant operations.".
The interaction between laser beams emitted by plasma and electrons tells us the density of fuel, which is crucial for sustained fusion conditions and providing safe and reliable energy to the power grid.

"The extreme conditions caused by the nuclear fusion process mean that we now need to improve laser based diagnostic technology to advance our mission of providing clean, safe, and affordable nuclear fusion energy in the 2030's."
The ST40 of Tokamak Energy is the first private nuclear fusion machine to achieve a plasma ion temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius, which is the threshold for commercial nuclear fusion.

Since achieving a breakthrough in 2022, the machine has undergone a series of hardware upgrades, including new power supplies and diagnostic systems.
Last year, the company successfully debugged the Thomson scattering laser diagnostic instrument for ST40 to provide detailed readings of plasma temperature and density at specific locations.
After further upgrades and maintenance, the machine will be put back into use later in 2024.

Source: Laser Net

相關推薦

  • The University of Illinois combines the light emitted by multiple VCSEL into a single coherent mode

    Today, VCSELs (vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers) are used in everything from computer mice to face-scanning hardware in smart phones. They are renowned for their ability to integrate seamlessly into semiconductor chips, VCSELs are still considered to be an active field of research, and many researchers believe there are still important applications waiting to be discovered.The laboratory of...

    08-04
    查看翻譯

  • The role of PTFE in laser processing

    Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has improved the efficiency and repeatability of nanosecond and picosecond laser processing technologies used in microelectronics and display glass manufacturing. In the field of precision manufacturing, the demand for efficient and repeatable processes is crucial. The laser structure of glass and laser ablation of silicon substrates are key areas where precision p...

    2024-07-26
    查看翻譯

  • Focused Energy purchases two world-class high-energy lasers

    Recently, Focused Energy, a well-known foreign fusion energy startup, announced that it has officially signed an agreement to purchase two of the world's top high-energy lasers. These two large lasers will be deployed in the company's upcoming factory in the San Francisco Bay Area in the next two years.Scott Mercer, CEO of Focused Energy, stated, "These lasers are currently the highest average pow...

    2024-12-25
    查看翻譯

  • Generating dark and entangled states in optical cavities: unlocking new possibilities in quantum metrology

    Physicists have been working hard to improve the accuracy of atomic clocks, which are the most precise timing devices currently available. A promising way to achieve higher accuracy is to utilize spin squeezed states in clock atoms.Spin squeezed states are entangled quantum states in which particles work together to counteract their inherent quantum noise. These states provide incredible potential...

    2024-02-20
    查看翻譯

  • Halo Industries raises 580 million yuan to achieve significant breakthrough in SiC laser processing field

    Recently, Halo Industries, an innovative technology company based in California, announced that it has successfully raised $80 million in Series B venture capital, marking a significant breakthrough in its use of laser technology to revolutionize the production of silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor wafer substrates.This financing is led by the US Innovation Technology Fund (USIT) and involves hea...

    2024-07-18
    查看翻譯