Compact Fusion Power Plants: A New Discovery.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics have discovered a way to reduce the distance between the hot plasma and the divertor in nuclear fusion devices, which could lead to the development of smaller and cheaper fusion reactors for energy production. The researchers used the X-point radiator phenomenon, which occurs when impurities are added to the plasma, to reduce the distance to fewer than 5 centimeters without damaging the wall. This discovery could lead to the construction of more compact and cheaper fusion power plants.