On the Way to a Thermonuclear Reactor: Key Systems Development Challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24160/0013-5380-2026-7-4-16Keywords:
tokamak electrical systems, plasma heating, electromagnetic systems, intensive cooling systemsAbstract
The article describes a significant progress that has been achieved in modern tokamaks both in plasma parameters and plasma discharge duration, which is the basis for the design and construction of thermonuclear reactors based on the deuterium-tritium nuclear fusion reaction. The article gives experimental data obtained in recent years in tokamaks, which show a decrease in the maximum achievable plasma parameters depending on the discharge duration, which gives rise to questions about the achievability of a thermonuclear reactor stationary operation mode. The reason for this may be both the problems of operating the tokamak engineering systems and the physical mechanisms of plasma interaction with the reactor vacuum vessel wall, which affect the achievement of high plasma parameters, manifesting themselves on large time scales of plasma retention in the tokamak. In order to successfully move towards a power-generating thermonuclear reactor and to design of the TIN-1 fusion neutron source at the Kurchatov Institute, it is necessary to evaluate the accumulated experience, including negative one, in the development, construction, and operation of existing tokamaks, and the construction of systems for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Based on the analysis performed, it is proposed to consider the development of powerful high-speed electrical, electrophysical and technological tokamak reactor systems to ensure the efficiency of a power-generating thermonuclear reactor.
References
1. Сахаров А.Д. Теория магнитного термоядерного реактора. – Успехи физических наук, 1967, т. 93, с. 564–571.
2. Арцимович Л.А. Управляемые термоядерные реакции. М.: Физматлит, 1963, 496 с.
3. Кадомцев Б.Б., Шафранов В.Д. Магнитное удержание плазмы. – Успехи физических наук, 1983, т. 139, с. 399–434.
4. Мирнов С.В. Физические процессы в плазме токамака. М.: Энергоатомиздат, 1983, 185 с.
5. ITER Physics Basis. Chapter 1: Overview and Summary. – Nuclear Fusion, 1999, vol. 39, No. 12, DOI: 10.1088/0029-5515/39/12/301.
6. Основы проектирования магнитных термоядерных реакторов / под ред. В.А. Глухих, Г.Л. Саксаганского. СПб.: Изд-во Политехнического университета, 2016, 613 с.
7. Будаев В.П., Федорович С.Д. Физико-технические проблемы управляемого термоядерного синтеза. Saarbrücken, Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing, 2018, 136 c.
8. Кадомцев Б.Б. Коллективные явления в плазме. М.: Наука, 1988, 308 c.
9. Kadomtsev B.B. Tokamak Plasma: A Complex Physical System. CRC Press, 1992, 232 p.
10. Gong X. et al. Overview of Recent Experimental Results on the EAST Tokamak. – Nuclear Fusion, 2024, vol. 64, No. 11, DOI: 10.1088/1741-4326/ad4270.
11. Bucalossi J. et al. Overview of the WEST contributions to the new ITER baseline and fusion power plants. – Nuclear Fusion, 2026, DOI: 10.1088/1741-4326/ae7615.
12. Велихов Е.П. и др. Первые экспериментальные результаты на токамаке Т-15МД. – Вопросы атомной науки и техники. Серия: Термоядерный синтез, 2024, т. 47, № 2, с. 5–14.
13. ITER – The Way to New Energy [Электрон. ресурс], URL: https://www.iter.org/ (дата обращения 15.04.2026).
14. Дедов А.В. и др. Системы экспериментального термоядерного реактора. Т. 1. Термоядерный реактор ИТЭР. М.: Изд-во МЭИ, 2024, 387 с.
15. Mirnov S.V. Tokamak Evolution and View to Future. – Nuclear Fusion, 2019, vol. 59, No. 1, DOI: 10.1088/1741-4326/aaee92.
16. Беграмбеков Л.Б. Процессы в твердом теле под действием ионного и плазменного облучения. М.: МИФИ, 2008, 196 с.
17. Недоспасов А.В. Физика пристеночной плазмы в токамаках. – Успехи физических наук, 1987, т. 152, с. 479–492.
18. Будаев В.П и др. Эффекты дугообразования при действии плазмы на вольфрамовые компоненты первой стенки в токамаке. – Вопросы атомной науки и техники. Серия: Термоядерный синтез, 2019, т. 42, № 1, с. 51–56.
19. Eich N. et al. Scaling of the Tokamak Near the Scrape-Off Layer H-Mode Power Width and Implications for ITER. – Nuclear Fusion, 2013, vol. 53, No. 9, DOI: 10.1088/0029-5515/53/9/093031.
20. Велихов Е.П. и др. Гибридный термоядерный реактор для производства ядерного горючего с минимальным радиоактивным загрязнением топливного цикла. – Вопросы атомной науки и техники. Серия: Термоядерный синтез, 2014, т. 37, № 4, с. 5–10.
21. Субботин М.Л. и др. Текущее состояние исследований в НИЦ «Курчатовский институт» в рамках разработки термоядерного источника нейтронов ТИН-1 масштаба токамака Т-15МД. – LIII Международ. Звенигородская конф. по физике плазмы и управляемому термоядерному синтезу, 2026, с. 125.
22. Duan X.R. et al. Recent Advance Progress of HL-3 Experiments – Nuclear Fusion, 2024, vol. 64, No. 11, DOI: 10.1088/1741-4326/ad6e9e.
23. Evans T.E. et al. RMP ELM Suppression in DIII-D Plasmas with ITER Similar Shapes and Collisionalities. – Nuclear Fusion, 2008, vol. 48, No. 2, DOI: 10.1088/0029-5515/48/2/024002.
24. Evans T.E. et al. Suppression of Large Edge-Localized Modes in High-Confinement DIII-D Plasmas with a Stochastic Magnetic Boundary. – Physical Review Letters, 2004, vol. 92, DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.235003.
25. Красильников А.В. и др. Токамак с реакторными технологиями (TRT): концепция, миссии, основные особенности и ожидаемые характеристики. – Физика плазмы, 2021, т. 47, № 11, с. 970–985.
26. Будаев В.П. Результаты испытаний вольфрамовых мишеней дивертора при мощных плазменно-тепловых нагрузках, ожидаемых в ИТЭР и токамаках реакторного масштаба (обзор). – Вопросы атомной науки и техники. Серия: Термоядерный синтез, 2015, т. 38, № 4, с. 5–33.
27. Ван О.Г., Дедов А.В., Будаев В.П. Материалы обращённых к плазме компонентов термоядерных реакторов-токамаков: требования, термостабилизация, испытания (обзор). – Теплоэнергетика, 2021, № 3, с. 18–35.
28. Pitts R.A. et al. Physics Basis and Design of the ITER Plasma-Facing Components. – Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2011, vol. 415,pp. 957–964, DOI: 10.1016/j.jnucmat.2011.01.114.
29. Pitts R.A. et al. Plasma-Wall Interaction Impact of the ITER Re-Baseline. – Nuclear Materials and Energy, 2025, vol. 42, DOI: 10.1016/j.nme.2024.101854.
30. Будаев В.П., Савин С.П., Зелёный Л.М. Наблюдения перемежаемости и обобщённого самоподобия в турбулентных пограничных слоях лабораторной и магнитосферной плазмы: на пути к определению количественных характеристик переноса. – Успехи физических наук, 2011, т. 181, № 9, с. 905–952.
31. Coenen J.W. et al. Materials for DEMO and Reactor Applications – Boundary Conditions and New Concepts. – Physica Scripta, 2016, vol. 167, DOI: 10.1088/0031-8949/2016/T167/014002.
32. Loarte A. et al. Transient Heat Loads in Current Fusion Experiments, Extrapolation to ITER and Consequences for Its Operation. – Physica Scripta, 2007, vol.128, DOI: 10.1088/0031-8949/2007/T128/043.
33. Loarte A. et al. Chapter 4: Power and Particle Control. – Nuclear Fusion, 2007, vol. 47, No. 6, DOI: 10.1088/0029-5515/47/6/S04.
34. Budaev V.P. et al. Erosion of Fuzz Layers Formed in Steady-State Plasma Discharge. – Fusion Science Technology, 2022, vol. 79, pp. 407–412, DOI: 10.1080/15361055.2022.2118471.
35. Budaev V.P. et al. High-Heat Flux Tests of Fusion Materials with Stationary Plasma in the PLM Device. – Fusion Engineering and Design, 2020, vol. 155, DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2020.111694.
---
Работа выполнена при поддержке госзадания FSWF-2025-0001 и госзадания НИЦ «Курчатовский институт».
#
1. Saharov A.D. Uspekhi fizicheskih nauk – in Russ. (Advances in Physical Sciences), 1967, vol. 93, pp. 564–571.
2. Artsimovich L.A. Upravlyaemye termoyadernye reaktsii (Cont-rolled Thermonuclear Reactions). M.: Fizmatlit, 1963, 496 p.
3. Kadomtsev B.B., Shafranov V.D. Uspekhi fizicheskih nauk – in Russ. (Advances in Physical Sciences), 1983, vol. 139, pp. 399–434.
4. Mirnov S.V. Fizicheskie protsessy v plazme tokamaka (Physical Processes in Tokamak Plasma). M.: Energoatomizdat, 1983, 185 p.
5. ITER Physics Basis. Chapter 1: Overview and Summary. – Nuclear Fusion, 1999, vol. 39, No. 12, DOI: 10.1088/0029-5515/39/ 12/301.
6. Osnovy proektirovaniya magnitnyh termoyadernyh reaktorov (Fundamentals of Magnetic Fusion Reactor Design) / Ed. by V.A. Gluhih, G.L. Saksaganskiy. SPb.: Izd-vo Politekhnicheskogo universiteta, 2016, 613 p.
7. Budaev V.P., Fedorovich S.D. Fiziko-tekhnicheskie problemy upravlyaemogo termoyadernogo sinteza (Physical and Technical Problems of Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion). Saarbrücken, Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing, 2018, 136 c.
8. Kadomtsev B.B. Kollektivnye yavleniya v plazme (Collective Phenomena in Plasma). M.: Nauka, 1988, 308 c.
9. Kadomtsev B.B. Tokamak Plasma: A Complex Physical System. CRC Press, 1992, 232 p.
10. Gong X. et al. Overview of Recent Experimental Results on the EAST Tokamak. – Nuclear Fusion, 2024, vol. 64, No. 11, DOI: 10.1088/1741-4326/ad4270.
11. Bucalossi J. et al. Overview of the WEST contributions to the new ITER baseline and fusion power plants. – Nuclear Fusion, 2026, DOI: 10.1088/1741-4326/ae7615.
12. Velihov E.P. et al. Voprosy atomnoy nauki i tekhniki. Seriya: Termoyadernyy sintez – in Russ. (Issues of Atomic Science and Technology. Series: Thermonuclear Fusion), 2024, vol. 47, No. 2, pp. 5–14.
13. ITER – The Way to New Energy [Electron. resource], URL: https://www.iter.org/ (Accessed on 15.04.2026).
14. Dedov A.V. et al. Sistemy eksperimental’nogo termoyadernogo reaktora. Tom 1. Termoyadernyy reaktor ITER (Experimental Thermonuclear Reactor Systems. Vol. 1. ITER Thermonuclear Reactor). M.: Izd-vo MEI, 2024, 387 p.
15. Mirnov S.V. Tokamak Evolution and View to Future. – Nuclear Fusion, 2019, vol. 59, No. 1, DOI: 10.1088/1741-4326/aaee92.
16. Begrambekov L.B. Protsessy v tverdom tele pod deystviem ionnogo i plazmennogo oblucheniya (Processes in a Solid Body under the Influence of Ion and Plasma Irradiation). M.: MIFI, 2008, 196 p.
17. Nedospasov A.V. Uspekhi fizicheskih nauk – in Russ. (Advances in Physical Sciences), 1987, vol. 152, pp. 479–492.
18. Budaev V.P et al. Voprosy atomnoy nauki i tekhniki. Seriya: Termoyadernyy sintez – in Russ. (Issues of Atomic Science and Tech-nology. Series: Thermonuclear Fusion), 2019, vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 51–56.
19. Eich N. et al. Scaling of the Tokamak Near the Scrape-Off Layer H-Mode Power Width and Implications for ITER. – Nuclear Fusion, 2013, vol. 53, No. 9, DOI: 10.1088/0029-5515/53/9/093031.
20. Velihov E.P. et al. Voprosy atomnoy nauki i tekhniki. Seriya: Termoyadernyy sintez – in Russ. (Issues of Atomic Science and Tech-nology. Series: Thermonuclear Fusion), 2014, vol. 37, No. 4, pp. 5–10.
21. Subbotin M.L. et al. LIII Mezhdunarod. Zvenigorodskaya konf. po fizike plazmy i upravlyaemomu termoyadernomu sintezu – in Russ. (LIII Int. Zvenigorod Conf. on Plasma Physics and Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion), 2026, pp. 125.
22. Duan X.R. et al. Recent Advance Progress of HL-3 Experi-ments – Nuclear Fusion, 2024, vol. 64, No. 11, DOI: 10.1088/1741-4326/ad6e9e.
23. Evans T. E. et al. RMP ELM Suppression in DIII-D Plasmas with ITER Similar Shapes and Collisionalities. – Nuclear Fusion, 2008, vol. 48, No. 2, DOI: 10.1088/0029-5515/48/2/024002.
24. Evans T.E. et al. Suppression of Large Edge-Localized Modes in High-Confinement DIII-D Plasmas with a Stochastic Magnetic Boundary. – Physical Review Letters, 2004, vol. 92, DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.235003.
25. Krasil’nikov A.V. et al. Fizika plazmy – in Russ. (Plasma Physics), 2021, vol. 47, No. 11, pp. 970–985.
26. Budaev V.P. Voprosy atomnoy nauki i tekhniki. Seriya: Termo-yadernyy sintez – in Russ. (Issues of Atomic Science and Technology. Series: Thermonuclear Fusion), 2015, vol. 38, No. 4, pp. 5–33.
27. Van O.G., Dedov A.V., Budaev V.P. Teploenergetika – in Russ. (Thermal Power Engineering), 2021, No. 3, pp. 18–35.
28. Pitts R.A. et al. Physics Basis and Design of the ITER Plasma-Facing Components. – Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2011, vol. 415, pp. 957–964, DOI: 10.1016/j.jnucmat.2011.01.114.
29. Pitts R.A. et al. Plasma-Wall Interaction Impact of the ITER Re-Baseline. – Nuclear Materials and Energy, 2025, vol. 42, DOI: 10. 1016/j.nme.2024.101854.
30. Budaev V.P., Savin S.P., Zelyonyy L.M. Uspekhi fizicheskih nauk – in Russ. (Advances in Physical Sciences), 2011, vol. 181, No. 9, pp. 905–952.
31. Coenen J.W. et al. Materials for DEMO and Reactor Applications – Boundary Conditions and New Concepts. – Physica Scripta, 2016, vol. 167, DOI: 10.1088/0031-8949/2016/T167/014002.
32. Loarte A. et al. Transient Heat Loads in Current Fusion Experiments, Extrapolation to ITER and Consequences for Its Operation. – Physica Scripta, 2007, vol.128, DOI: 10.1088/0031-8949/2007/T128/043.
33. Loarte A. et al. Chapter 4: Power and Particle Control. – Nuclear Fusion, 2007, vol. 47, No. 6, DOI: 10.1088/0029-5515/47/6/S04.
34. Budaev V.P. et al. Erosion of Fuzz Layers Formed in Steady-State Plasma Discharge. – Fusion Science Technology, 2022, vol. 79, pp. 407–412, DOI: 10.1080/15361055.2022.2118471.
35. Budaev V.P. et al. High-Heat Flux Tests of Fusion Materials with Stationary Plasma in the PLM Device. – Fusion Engineering and Design, 2020, vol. 155, DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2020.111694
---
The work was financially supported within the framework of the state assignment FSWF-2025-0001 and the state assignment of the Kurchatov Institute Research Center
