The HL-2A tokamak at the Southwestern Institute of Physics of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) recently carried out a record-breaking high-βN plasma discharge operation.

The success of the experiment demonstrates the progress of nuclear fusion research in China, particularly research related to device heating, control, operation, and wall treatment.

It also indicates that China’s research on magnetic confinement fusion has reached new heights.

In order to find a controllable way to generate fusion power for commercial purposes, it is necessary to first improve plasma confinement procedures to attain high-βN plasma. The higher the plasma’s βN, the more economically efficient the fusion reactor will be.