Stellarator fusion is a type of magnetic confinement fusion that uses a highly complex three-dimensional magnetic field structure to confine plasma. Unlike the tokamak, which requires an internal plasma current, the stellarator relies on externally arranged magnetic coils to achieve self-confinement, without the need for an internal current.

Mechanism

In stellarator fusion, a complex helical magnetic field is generated to confine the plasma. This magnetic field prevents the plasma from escaping outward, maintaining a stable high-temperature and high-density state necessary for nuclear fusion reactions. Compared to the tokamak, stellarators do not require an internal plasma current to stabilize the plasma, which helps to avoid issues related to current-driven heating.

Features

• Stability: Stellarators offer potentially higher plasma stability compared to tokamaks because the plasma is stabilized by external magnetic fields.
• Complex Structure: The main challenge of stellarator fusion devices is the complexity of designing and manufacturing the intricate three-dimensional magnetic field structure.
• No Internal Current: Unlike tokamaks, stellarators confine plasma using only external magnetic fields, without relying on internal plasma currents.

Challenges

• Complexity: The greatest challenge of stellarators is the complexity of their design and construction. Building and precisely aligning the intricate magnetic fields requires high costs and advanced technical expertise.
• Energy Efficiency: For stellarator fusion to be viable at a commercial scale, higher energy efficiency and the ability to maintain stable plasma states for longer durations must be achieved.