A toroidal magnetic confinement device whose poloidal field is generated by external helical coils (unlike the tokamak where it is generated by an internal current induced by transformer action). While tokamaks are today’s most advanced concept for a fusion power plant, stellarators offer intrinsic advantages due to the absence of a plasma current. They have the inherent capability for steady state operation and are less prone to plasma instabilities.
Glossary Term: Stellarator
« Back to Glossary Index