glossary:tokamak
CONCEPT dossier

Tokamak

Glossary term: Tokamak

CONCEPT Fusion Physics

01 Executive_Summary

A toroidal magnetic confinement device using external toroidal field coils and an internal plasma current to generate the poloidal field. The dominant MCF concept worldwide (ITER, DIII-D, NSTX).

02 Definition

A toroidal magnetic confinement device using external toroidal field coils and an internal plasma current to generate the poloidal field. The dominant MCF concept worldwide (ITER, DIII-D, NSTX).

Related terms: MCF Stellarator DIII-D NSTX ITER

03 Deep_Dive_Intelligence

Overview

A toroidal magnetic confinement device using external toroidal field coils and an internal plasma current to generate the poloidal field. The dominant MCF concept worldwide (ITER, DIII-D, NSTX).

Role: Glossary term: Tokamak

Entity Type: Concept — Tokamak is a technical concept or theoretical framework.

Technical Definition

A toroidal magnetic confinement device using external toroidal field coils and an internal plasma current to generate the poloidal field. The dominant MCF concept worldwide (ITER, DIII-D, NSTX).

Related Concepts: MCF, Stellarator, DIII-D, NSTX, ITER

07 Key_Findings

  • ▸ Entity Type: Concept — Tokamak is a technical concept or theoretical framework.
  • ▸ Related Concepts: MCF, Stellarator, DIII-D, NSTX, ITER

09 Timeline_Mentions (10)

1958

Project Sherwood declassified at Geneva Conference

Fusion research declassified at 2nd Atoms for Peace conference. Sherwood becomes CTR program.

historical-context
1982

Ninth IAEA Conference on Plasma Physics

The Ninth International Conference on Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research is held in Baltimore, Maryland, focusing on Tokamak experiments and plasma heating.

fusion-physics
1991

Cancellation of Terrestrial Alternate Confinement Programs

Alternate confinement programs for terrestrial fusion applications are cancelled, leaving a gap in non-tokamak research.

historical-context
1993

DIII-D Five-Year Plan Initiation

General Atomics implemented the 1993 Five-Year DIII-D Plan, establishing the context for Advanced Tokamak research and facility improvements.

fusion-physics
1998

DIII-D Five-Year Program Plan (1999-2003)

General Atomics released a comprehensive plan for the DIII-D National Fusion Facility, focusing on Advanced Tokamak operating scenarios and paths to ITER.

fusion-physics
2015

Bussard Polywell WB-8 (2009-2015): Navy-funded, beta-one conditions achieved, p-B11 aneutronic, EMC2/China Lake — orb confinement geometry

Navy-funded Polywell at EMC2. WB-8 achieved β=1 (plasma pressure = magnetic pressure). p-B11 aneutronic fuel. Polyhedral cusp confinement = orb internal structure (Forbes). Went quiet after 2015.

uap-research
2023

DOE announces 8 Milestone-Based Fusion Development recipients

$46M for 8 companies. Inspired by NASA COTS. 5-10 year timeline for pilot plant designs.

fusion-research
2025

CFS begins SPARC tokamak assembly

75% complete. HTS magnets at 20T. Target Q>1. ARC power plant in Virginia early 2030s.

fusion-research
2026-06-09

DOE releases finalized Fusion Science & Technology Roadmap — confirms FRC maturity and the 2028 convergence

The U.S. Department of Energy (Office of Fusion) releases the finalized Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap (122 pages, Build-Innovate-Grow framework).

Disclosure
1991

LLNL RACE Compact Toroid Acceleration

LLNL RACE program accelerates compact toroids in coaxial railgun. Fusion-oriented: ICF driver, x-ray generator, tokamak fueling. Inspired AFRL MARAUDER.

Fusion Physics
View Full Timeline → View on Network Graph →

10 FAQ

What is Tokamak? ▾
A toroidal magnetic confinement device using external toroidal field coils and an internal plasma current to generate the poloidal field. The dominant MCF concept worldwide (ITER, DIII-D, NSTX).
What role does Tokamak play in the research network? ▾
Tokamak is classified under the "Fusion Physics" category, serving as Glossary term: Tokamak. A toroidal magnetic confinement device using external toroidal field coils and an internal plasma current to generate the poloidal field. The dominant MCF concept worldwide (ITER, DIII-D, NSTX).
What evidence supports the Tokamak assessment? ▾
The intelligence assessment for Tokamak is supported by 4 primary sources. Key sources include "Tokamak", "ITER History", and "DIII-D National Fusion Facility - DOE Office of Science". These documents provide the evidentiary basis for the analysis.
What is the technical definition of Tokamak? ▾
A toroidal magnetic confinement device using external toroidal field coils and an internal plasma current to generate the poloidal field. The dominant MCF concept worldwide (ITER, DIII-D, NSTX). Related Concepts: MCF, Stellarator, DIII-D, NSTX, ITER
What is the physics behind Tokamak? ▾
A toroidal magnetic confinement device using external toroidal field coils and an internal plasma current to generate the poloidal field. The dominant MCF concept worldwide (ITER, DIII-D, NSTX). Role: Glossary term: Tokamak Entity Type: Concept — Tokamak is a technical concept or theoretical framework.
What external sources document Tokamak? ▾
Tokamak is documented by 4 external sources, including 1 Encyclopedia Article, 1 Official Project Page, and 1 Government Page. Notable references include "Tokamak", "ITER History", and "DIII-D National Fusion Facility - DOE Office of Science".
How was information about Tokamak collected? ▾
Information about Tokamak was collected through open-source intelligence (OSINT) methods, analyzing 4 declassified documents and cross-referencing findings across the research network.
What is the current status of Tokamak? ▾
A toroidal magnetic confinement device using external toroidal field coils and an internal plasma current to generate the poloidal field. The dominant MCF concept worldwide (ITER, DIII-D, NSTX).
How does Tokamak relate to compact fusion research? ▾
Overview A toroidal magnetic confinement device using external toroidal field coils and an internal plasma current to generate the poloidal field. The dominant MCF concept worldwide (ITER, DIII-D, NSTX). Role: Glossary term: Tokamak Entity Type: Concept — Tokamak is a technical concept or...
What documents should I read to learn more about Tokamak? ▾
To learn more about Tokamak, review the 4 primary sources, and related research finding linked in the source documents section of this dossier.

External_References 5 REFS

/pdfs/1406229 (1).pdf#page=2 ref
/pdfs/1406229 (1).pdf#page=3 ref
/pdfs/1406229.pdf#page=2 ref
/pdfs/1406229.pdf#page=3 ref
/pdfs/1979 April 18-20.pdf#page=8 ref

Glossary_Sources

→ 1406229 (1).pdf → 1406229 (1).pdf → 1406229.pdf → 1406229.pdf → 1979 April 18-20.pdf

Verified_Primary_Sources 4 SOURCES

secondary wikipedia.org Encyclopedia Article
Tokamak
Verifies: Tokamak uses external toroidal field coils and internal plasma current for poloidal field; Dominant MCF concept worldwide; ITER, DIII-D, NSTX are tokamak examples
External Link ↗
primary iter.org Official Project Page
ITER History
Verifies: ITER is a tokamak and international collaboration; ITER conceived at 1985 Geneva Superpower Summit; ITER will be industrial-scale burning plasma experimental facility
External Link ↗
primary science.osti.gov Government Page
DIII-D National Fusion Facility - DOE Office of Science
Verifies: DIII-D is largest magnetic fusion user facility in the US; DIII-D is a tokamak confinement device; DIII-D explores optimization of advanced tokamak approach
External Link ↗
primary ga.com Official Company Page
DIII-D National Fusion Facility - General Atomics
Verifies: DIII-D is a DOE Office of Science user facility operated by General Atomics; D-shaped cross-section inspired many other devices including JET, ASDEX-U, KSTAR
External Link ↗
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ID: glossary:tokamak
Type: concept
Region: glossary
Last updated: Research database snapshot