In tokamaks, magnetic cages enclose the plasma where fusion reactions occur. And the flow in the plasma is induced by what is known as a transformer. The transformer does not work continuously, but in pulse mode. However, a functioning power plant should not be operated in pulse mode, so fusion researchers are looking at methods to generate a continuous plasma flow. Advanced tokamaks are those with designs that address this limitation in plasma flow and are being studied both theoretically and experimentally as continuous operation is highly desirable for future fusion power production and their relatively small size results in a more economical power plant than an ITER-like design.
Glossary Term: Advanced tokamaks
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