The method combines two existing plasma control methods: electron cyclotron current maintenance (EECD) and resonance magnetic perturbation (RMP). While EECD helps maintain plasma current in magnetic confinement experiments, RMP deliberately introduces small magnetic perturbations into the plasma to improve control.

In tokamaks, magnetic fields hold the plasma like a string, and RMPs form oval-shaped magnetic islands within it. Although generally thought to be harmful, under controlled conditions these islets are beneficial.

However, the formation of sufficiently large resonance magnetic disturbances creates some difficulties. And here the EECD plays a very important role by increasing control and stability throughout the process.

Hu Qiming, lead author of the study, explained:

Application of localized EECD at plasma edges was initially considered risky due to potential microwave damage to chamber components. However, our study demonstrates its feasibility and highlights its adaptability, potentially paving the way for future advances in plasma control.

The combination of EECD and RMP not only improves stability and controllability, but also promises to reduce the costs associated with fusion power generation in commercial devices. This development marks a significant step forward in the search for reliable and sustainable fusion energy, which scientists have been pursuing for decades.

This achievement follows an earlier breakthrough by scientists in the same laboratory who discovered a method to reduce the harmful effects of electrons emitted from tokamaks. The discovery used a unique type of plasma wave discovered by astrophysicist Hannes Alven, underlining the interdisciplinary nature of research in plasma physics.