Korean Artificial Sun reactor generated 100 Million degrees

The achievement of reaching temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius in a

Korean artificial sun reactor refers to a significant milestone in nuclear fusion
research, specifically using a device known as a tokamak.

This temperature is crucial because it's approximately the minimum required for
nuclear fusion to occur, mimicking the conditions at the core of the sun. The
reactor in question likely refers to the Korea Superconducting Tokamak
Advanced Research (KSTAR) project, which aims to enable the fusion of
hydrogen isotopes to produce massive amounts of energy, mirroring the process
that powers the sun.

Step-by-Step Process of Creating an "Artificial Sun" in a Tokamak

Preparation of Fuel: The process begins with the preparation of fusion fuel,
typically isotopes of hydrogen such as deuterium and tritium, which are easier
to fuse than other elements due to their low atomic mass.

Creating a Plasma: The fuel is heated to extremely high temperatures, turning

it into a plasma, a state of matter where electrons are stripped from atoms,
creating a mix of ions and electrons.

Confinement in Magnetic Field: In a tokamak, powerful magnetic fields

confine and shape the plasma into a torus (doughnut shape). These magnetic
fields are crucial for keeping the plasma stable and contained away from the
reactor walls, as no physical material could withstand the extreme temperatures
of the plasma.

Further Heating: Additional heating methods are applied to raise the plasma
temperature to the necessary levels for fusion. This can include radiofrequency
heating, neutral beam injection, and magnetic compression.

Achieving Fusion Conditions: At temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees

Celsius, conditions are suitable for the hydrogen isotopes in the plasma to
overcome their natural repulsion and fuse together. This fusion process releases
a tremendous amount of energy, primarily in the form of neutrons.

Energy Capture: While current reactors like KSTAR are experimental and
primarily focused on achieving and sustaining fusion conditions, in a fully
operational fusion power plant, the energy released by the fusion reactions
would be captured and used to produce electricity, likely through heating a
working fluid that drives turbines.

India is not only capable of engaging in such research but is already a

significant contributor to international nuclear fusion research. India is one of
the seven member entities of the International Thermonuclear Experimental
Reactor (ITER) project, the world's largest experimental tokamak nuclear fusion
reactor, located in France. ITER aims to make the long-awaited transition from
experimental studies of plasma physics to full-scale electricity-producing fusion
power stations. India contributes to ITER by providing essential components,
expertise, and research, thereby developing its capacity in fusion technology.

India also has its own fusion program and operates several research reactors,
including the Aditya and SST-1 tokamaks, focusing on understanding plasma
physics and developing technologies relevant to fusion power.

Given its involvement in ITER and domestic capabilities, India is actively

enhancing its scientific and technological expertise in nuclear fusion,
positioning itself to contribute significantly to, and potentially benefit from, the
future of fusion energy.