Alcator C-Mod
Encyclopedia
Alcator C-Mod is a tokamak
, a magnetically confined nuclear fusion
device, at the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center
. It is the tokamak with the highest magnetic field
and highest plasma
pressure in the world. It is one of the major fusion research facilities in the United States, together with DIII-D
at General Atomics
and NSTX
at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
.
Operating since 1993, it is the third of the Alcator (Alto Campo Torus, High Field Torus) tokamak series, following Alcator A (1975-1982) and Alcator C (1982-1988). This reactor represents the largest fusion reactor operated by any university and is an integral part of the larger Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC).
Tokamak
A tokamak is a device using a magnetic field to confine a plasma in the shape of a torus . Achieving a stable plasma equilibrium requires magnetic field lines that move around the torus in a helical shape...
, a magnetically confined nuclear fusion
Magnetic confinement fusion
Magnetic confinement fusion is an approach to generating fusion power that uses magnetic fields to confine the hot fusion fuel in the form of a plasma. Magnetic confinement is one of two major branches of fusion energy research, the other being inertial confinement fusion. The magnetic approach is...
device, at the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center
MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center
The Plasma Science and Fusion Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a research laboratory for the study of plasma physics and nuclear fusion...
. It is the tokamak with the highest magnetic field
Magnetic field
A magnetic field is a mathematical description of the magnetic influence of electric currents and magnetic materials. The magnetic field at any given point is specified by both a direction and a magnitude ; as such it is a vector field.Technically, a magnetic field is a pseudo vector;...
and highest plasma
Plasma (physics)
In physics and chemistry, plasma is a state of matter similar to gas in which a certain portion of the particles are ionized. Heating a gas may ionize its molecules or atoms , thus turning it into a plasma, which contains charged particles: positive ions and negative electrons or ions...
pressure in the world. It is one of the major fusion research facilities in the United States, together with DIII-D
DIII-D (fusion reactor)
DIII-D is the name of a tokamak machine developed in the 1980s by General Atomics in San Diego, USA, as part of the ongoing effort to achieve magnetically confined fusion. DIII-D pioneered new technology including the use of beams of neutral particles to penetrate the confinement field of the...
at General Atomics
General Atomics
General Atomics is a nuclear physics and defense contractor headquartered in San Diego, California. General Atomics’ research into fission and fusion matured into competencies in related technologies, allowing the company to expand into other fields of research...
and NSTX
National Spherical Torus Experiment
The National Spherical Torus Experiment is an innovative magnetic fusion device based on the spherical tokamak concept that was constructed by the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory in collaboration with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Columbia University, and the University of Washington at...
at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory for plasma physics and nuclear fusion science located on Princeton University's Forrestal Campus in Plainsboro Township, New Jersey. Its primary mission is research into and development of fusion as an...
.
Operating since 1993, it is the third of the Alcator (Alto Campo Torus, High Field Torus) tokamak series, following Alcator A (1975-1982) and Alcator C (1982-1988). This reactor represents the largest fusion reactor operated by any university and is an integral part of the larger Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC).