Seeing plasma in colour: new imaging from ST40
2 days ago
- #tokamak
- #fusion-energy
- #plasma-physics
- High-speed color camera captures plasma behavior at 16,000 fps on ST40 tokamak.
- Deuterium gas injection emits bright pink light; lithium granules emit crimson-red and greenish-yellow light when ionized.
- Color imaging helps trace lithium movement and confirms spectroscopy data.
- Research focuses on X-point radiator (XPR) regimes to cool plasma and reduce wear on components.
- Lithium is key in the $52M ST40 upgrade (LEAPS), improving plasma performance via coatings.
- ST40 upgrades include replacing carbon tiles with molybdenum and adding new diagnostics.
- Lithium integration in ST40 advances understanding for future fusion energy devices.