Chinese researchers develop linear plasma device to advance core materials research for 'artificial sun'

A Chinese research team has successfully developed a strong flow linear plasma device named as "Chixiao" to provide a scientific and technological tool for the development of core materials for the research of "artificial sun," the controlled nuclear fusion experimental devices, Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.

According to the research team from Hefei Institutes of Physical Sciences (HFIPS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the parameters of Chixiao were verified on Tuesday to meet design criteria following expert assessment, making China the second country in the world following the Netherlands, to own a device of its kind.

The research of the “artificial sun” faces a series of major challenges including the challenge of developing super materials capable of enduring the immense impact of plasma particle flows that are used in constructing the “wall” of the “artificial sun.”

According to Zhou Haishan, a researcher from the Institute of Plasma Physics of the HFIPS, CAS, studies on the future “artificial sun” capable of generating continuous electricity over extended periods, require advanced simulation environments to test whether the materials developed meet the standards. Developing “durable and resilient” wall materials to replicate such experimental conditions remains highly challenging.

The research team led by Zhou spent more than five years developing the strong-current linear plasma device “Chixiao” designed to rigorously test the wall materials for the next-generation “artificial sun,” with its capacity to rapidly eject 1024 (ten to the power of twenty-four) particles per square meter per second and to run continuously for more than 24 hours at a time.

Because of its sleek, sword-like structure, the 15.5-meter-long and 22.5-ton device derives its name from Chixiao, one of ancient China’s top ten legendary swords.

On Tuesday, the review panel announced that the parameters of the “Chixiao” device met the design criteria, making China the second country in the world to possess such a device following the Netherlands.

According to Xinhua, China’s nuclear fusion research now stands at the forefront of global advancements, and the creation of the “Chixiao” device will provide strong support for researching the next-generation “artificial sun,” the Chinese Fusion Engineering Testing Reactor (CFETR). The “Chixiao” device will not only serve Chinese scientists but also enable collaborative international research efforts.