🗞️ Why in News: The Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE)'s KSTAR (Korean Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research) device sustained plasma at 100 million degrees Celsius in High-Confinement Mode (H-mode) for 102 seconds — more than double its previous record of 48 seconds — a landmark achievement in controlled nuclear fusion research. The result, independently verified by the IAEA, was announced around June 2026. The target is 300 seconds by end of 2026.
KSTAR at a Glance
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Korean Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) |
| Operated by | Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE), South Korea |
| Device type | Tokamak — donut-shaped magnetic confinement device |
| New record | 102 seconds of H-mode plasma at 100 million°C |
| Previous record | 48 seconds (earlier KSTAR campaign) |
| Temperature significance | 100 million°C ≈ 7× the Sun’s core temperature (~15 million°C) |
| Target | 300 seconds by end of 2026; eventual goal: indefinite burning plasma |
What is Nuclear Fusion?
Nuclear fusion is the reaction that powers the Sun: light nuclei (hydrogen isotopes) fuse together at extreme temperatures and pressures to form heavier nuclei, releasing enormous energy (E = mc²).
| Property | Fusion vs Fission |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Hydrogen isotopes: Deuterium (from seawater) + Tritium (from lithium) |
| Waste | Helium (inert) + low-level radioactive waste |
| Risk | No runaway chain reaction possible — reaction stops if conditions aren’t maintained |
| Energy yield | Gram-for-gram 3-4× fission; 10 million× fossil fuels |
Why Does Temperature Matter?
- Fusion requires overcoming the Coulomb barrier (repulsion between like-charged nuclei) — only possible at extreme temperatures (100+ million °C).
- At these temperatures, matter exists as plasma (fourth state of matter — an ionised gas).
- Maintaining plasma stable at these temperatures without it touching the reactor walls is the core engineering challenge.
How a Tokamak Works
A tokamak confines plasma using powerful magnetic fields generated by superconducting coils:
- The magnetic field holds the plasma in a donut-shaped (toroidal) loop.
- H-mode (High-Confinement Mode) = the plasma’s better-insulated state; it doesn’t leak energy as quickly; achieved above a certain input-power threshold.
- Sustaining H-mode plasma for longer = closer to the “Q>1” break-even threshold (energy out > energy in).
The Global Fusion Landscape
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| KSTAR 102 seconds | South Korea; ~100 million°C H-mode; more than double previous record |
| NIF Ignition (Dec 2022) | US National Ignition Facility — first demonstration of net fusion energy gain (Q>1) using laser fusion (ICF) |
| ITER (France) | International experimental tokamak; under construction; 35-nation project; first plasma expected ~2035; 10× gain goal (Q=10) |
| India’s SST-1 | Indian Steady State Superconducting Tokamak; operated by IPR, Gandhinagar; India is a partner in ITER |
| Commercial | Commonwealth Fusion Systems, TAE Technologies, Helion — private companies targeting commercial fusion by mid-2030s |
India’s Role
- India is a full partner in the ITER project (alongside EU, US, Japan, South Korea, Russia, China).
- India’s contribution: superconducting magnets, cryostat, and in-vessel components.
- Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar — India’s premier fusion research facility; operates SST-1.
UPSC Relevance
| Paper | Relevance |
|---|---|
| GS3 | Science & Technology — nuclear fusion, tokamak, plasma, energy; India’s ITER participation |
| Prelims | KSTAR (South Korea, KFE); 102 seconds, 100 million°C; Tokamak; ITER (France, 35 nations); NIF ignition (2022); IPR Gandhinagar; Deuterium-Tritium fuel |
Facts Corner
📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia
KSTAR 2026 Record:
- 102 seconds of H-mode plasma at 100 million°C (7× Sun’s core)
- Previous record: 48 seconds; target: 300 seconds (end of 2026)
- Operated by Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE)
- Device type: Tokamak (superconducting, donut-shaped magnetic confinement)
- Verified by IAEA
Fusion Fuel: Deuterium (seawater) + Tritium (from lithium) → Helium + energy Fusion vs Fission: No runaway reaction; no long-lived radioactive waste; fuel unlimited
Global fusion landmarks:
- NIF ignition (Dec 2022) — first net energy gain (ICF method)
- ITER (France) — 35-nation tokamak; first plasma ~2035
- India’s SST-1 at IPR, Gandhinagar; India is ITER partner
Plasma = 4th state of matter (ionised gas at extreme temperatures)
Sources: IAEA, Korea Institute of Fusion Energy, The Hindu
Source: KSTAR Sustains Plasma at 100 Million°C for 102 Seconds — A Fusion Milestone — Ujiyari.com | Free UPSC & State PCS Current Affairs
