US suppliers to provide two diagnostic systems for JT-60SA

Fusion for Energy (F4E) and QST have signed two agreements with the US organisations PPPL and General Atomics for the supply of two diagnostic systems for JT-60SA. These are the first contributions from outside Europe and Japan, the two parties of the fusion experiment under the Broader Approach agreement. Both systems will be installed as part of the ongoing upgrades and will be used to monitor the plasma from the next operation phase, starting mid-2026.

On the one hand, the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), funded by the US Department of Energy, will provide the X-ray Imaging Crystal Spectrometer (XICS). This advanced diagnostic will help measure accurately the temperature, speed and direction of the plasma particles. It will also allow experts to analyse the density of impurities, which must be controlled to keep the fusion reaction running safely.

On the other hand, General Atomics will supply the Fast-Ion Deuterium-Alpha (FIDA) diagnostic.This instrument will focus on the energetic particles in the plasma. Thanks to cutting-edge spectroscopy methods, it will give scientists insight into how the ions behave and transfer energy.

Once both systems are delivered and installed, the cooperation will continue into operations. PPPL and General Atomics will participate in the experiments alongside Europe and Japan. Their experts will operate the respective diagnostic systems locally or remotely and share the data with the international teams.

At present, JT-60SA is the world’s largest operating tokamak. Its upcoming plasma shots will offer an unparalleled opportunity to put cutting-edge diagnostics into practice and obtain valuable knowledge for the fusion community.