China completed expert acceptance and full-parameter testing of two domestically developed superconducting magnets on 27 June 2026, according to the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in Hefei, Anhui Province. The tested systems include a toroidal field superconducting magnet and a high-temperature superconducting central solenoid coil, both designed for fusion research.
Toroidal Field Magnet Design and Specifications
The newly tested toroidal field superconducting magnet features a D-shaped structure measuring 21 metres in length and 12 metres in width, with a total weight of 582 tonnes. According to the Institute of Plasma Physics, it ranks as the largest fusion reactor superconducting magnet built to date. In a tokamak device, this magnet confines plasma inside a vacuum chamber using a powerful magnetic field, where fuel must reach temperatures of about 100 million degrees Celsius and remain stable for controlled operation.
This toroidal field magnet has 1.3 times the volume and three times the stored energy of comparable magnets used in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, or ITER, based in France. The project is tied to the Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology, or CRAFT, which is part of China’s broader “artificial sun” programme.
Did you know?
Superconducting magnets can carry electric current with very low electrical resistance when cooled to extremely low temperatures, allowing researchers to generate the immense magnetic fields required to contain high-energy fusion plasma.
High-Temperature Superconducting Central Solenoid Coil Performance
Alongside the toroidal field system, researchers successfully tested a high-temperature superconducting central solenoid coil at the Hefei facility. The central solenoid coil induces and drives plasma current, a vital mechanism for achieving ignition and maintaining stable operation in tokamak-type fusion devices. Both magnet systems successfully reached internationally leading performance levels during the testing phase.
Both magnet systems achieved 100% domestic production across the entire supply chain, encompassing core raw materials and fabrication processes. These developments support China’s stated target of achieving fusion power generation around 2030.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is nuclear fusion?
Fusion is the process of combining light atomic nuclei to release energy. It is the same process that naturally powers the Sun and other stars.
What is a tokamak?
A tokamak is a magnetic confinement device used in fusion research. It utilizes toroidal geometry.
How do superconducting magnets help in fusion reactors?
Superconducting magnets create the intense magnetic fields needed to confine and stabilize plasma heated to roughly 100 million degrees Celsius.
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