China's first international standard in nuclear fusion was released on March 6, becoming the first international standard in nuclear fusion to be published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It fills the ISO's nuclear fusion standard gap and ushers in a new phase of international standardization of nuclear fusion.

The Southwestern Institute of Physics of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) led the formulation of the standard, which is titled "Reactor technology — Nuclear fusion reactors — Hot helium leak testing method for high temperature pressure-bearing components in nuclear fusion reactors" (reference: ISO 4233: 2023).

The world's first medium- and large-sized high sensitivity hot helium leak testing equipment developed by the Southwestern Institute of Physics of the CNNC

Nuclear fusion is an important solution to humankind's energy demand. Hot helium leak testing is a piece of technology used in testing the vacuum leak tightness of vacuum chamber components of fusion reactors (core components), and is the most critical link to effectively ensure the safe and stable operation of the fusion reactor.