Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics (BINP)

The Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics (BINP), located in Novosibirsk (Akademgorodok), is one of Russia's most important plasma physics and accelerator research institutes. Founded in 1958 by Gersh Budker, BINP has been at the forefront of Russian plasma physics, fusion research, and particle accelerator development for over 60 years.

Key aspects of Budker BINP:

1. GDT (Gas Dynamic Trap): The Gas Dynamic Trap is BINP's flagship fusion research device. The GDT is an open magnetic mirror (linear magnetic confinement) system that confines plasma using a combination of magnetic mirrors and gas dynamic flow. The GDT has been operated since the 1980s and has achieved significant plasma parameters for an open mirror system.

2. GDMT (Gas-Dynamic Multiple-Mirror Trap): The GDMT is a next-generation open magnetic mirror system under development at BINP. The multiple-mirror concept uses a series of magnetic mirrors to improve plasma confinement compared to a single mirror. The GDMT represents the evolution of GDT technology toward a fusion-relevant device.

3. ALIANCE project with China: BINP is the Russian lead for the ALIANCE project, a joint Russia-China fusion neutron source collaboration:

• Russian partner: Budker BINP (Novosibirsk)
• Chinese partner: INEST/CAS (Institute of Nuclear Energy Safety Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
• Concept: GDT-based fusion neutron source for materials testing and subcritical fission blanket driving
• Timeline: First workshop November 2018 (Hefei), ALIANCE proposed November 2019, workshops through 2021
• Significance: One of the most concrete Russia-China fusion technology cooperation projects

4. GDT-FNS workshops: BINP has hosted and participated in the GDT-FNS (Gas Dynamic Trap Fusion Neutron Source) workshop series with China:

• November 2018: First workshop, ASIPP Hefei
• November 2019: Second workshop, Novosibirsk (BINP)
• September 2021: Third workshop, Hefei (hybrid)
• The workshop series represents formal Russia-China fusion cooperation

5. Historical significance:

• Founded 1958 by Gersh Budker, a pioneering Soviet physicist
• Located in Akademgorodok, Novosibirsk — a major Soviet/Russian science city
• BINP has contributed to plasma physics, fusion, accelerators, and synchrotron radiation research
• The institute is part of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences

6. Connection to Russian fusion ecosystem:

• TRINITI (Troitsk) — pulsed power, ICF, theta pinch
• VNIIEF (Sarov) — MAGO, magnetized target fusion, weapons
• Kurchatov Institute (Moscow) — T-15MD tokamak, ITER
• IAP (Nizhny Novgorod) — plasma weapons, Stupitskiy
• Budker BINP provides the open magnetic mirror expertise

7. Russia-China cooperation significance:

• BINP is the most active Russian institute in fusion cooperation with China
• The ALIANCE project and GDT-FNS workshops represent concrete technology transfer
• The May 2026 Xi-Putin summit MoUs likely build on the ALIANCE framework
• BINP's GDT technology is attractive to China for fusion neutron source applications

Budker BINP is a critical node in the Russia-China fusion cooperation network. The GDT technology and ALIANCE project represent one of the most concrete examples of Russia-China fusion technology transfer, with implications for both energy production and dual-use applications.