China has gone a step beyond science fiction, becoming the first country to successfully develop what they call a "Micro Sun" or "Artificial Sun." A nearly infinite energy source based on nuclear fusion. In other words, while not literally a second sun, this experiment replicates a system very similar to that of the sun, which is also formed by nuclear fusion.
This experiment, called EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak), was conceived in 1996, although it only took its first steps in 2006. However, the project only became truly functional recently, following years of investment and scientific research. The device is a world first, the first entirely superconducting tokamak. The goal has always been to replicate the physical parameters of the sun and the engineering requirements of the ITER project. This feat has positioned China as a major technological benchmark for this type of reactor.
of LSSF model.
Experimental Phases and Progressive Records
- 2006–2007: First, the plasma was maintained for only 3 seconds with 200 kA of current; shortly thereafter, in January 2007, the plasma was maintained for almost 5 seconds with 500 kA.
- 2010–2011: Starting in 2010, EAST achieved high confinement plasma, which they call (H-mode) through low frequency waves, and starting in 2011 they managed to make significant progress, keeping the plasma at a temperature of 50 million Kelvin for 30 seconds.
- 2017–2018: In July 2017, the tokamak managed to maintain H-mode for more than 100 seconds, which was already double the results of 2011. And in November 2018, it achieved the same time, but with the difference of reaching twice the electronic temperature, reaching 100 million degrees.
Artificial Sun: Millimeter Records and Final Phases
- 2021: EAST recorded plasma at almost 120 million degrees, maintaining the plasma for 101 seconds; at the end of that same year, in December, it reached 1,056 seconds (a little over 17 minutes), which was already a great advance.
- 2023: At this point the project was already in its final stages, managing to maintain the plasma for almost 10 minutes, which was already unbelievable for many scientists.
- January 20, 2025: China can now maintain plasma for nearly 20 minutes, marking a major milestone in nuclear fusion. Creating a Micro Sun for 20 minutes is enough to generate an incalculable amount of energy.
Innovations generated by the Artificial Sun
Although the artificial Sun has not yet reached the ignition stage to last incessantly, the 20-minute mark already has many practical functions in the energy field.
Furthermore, the experiment also broke records for its temperature, which is about 70,000 times hotter than the maximum temperature of a domestic microwave oven. EAST also records important discoveries regarding confinement modes, pulse duration, temperature, and plasma density. These elements are critical and essential for future reactors such as ITER and CFETR.
Global Scientific Context
Although EAST is a Chinese project, it currently serves as an open testbed for both Chinese and international scientists. It contributes to numerous projects, such as ITER (located in southern France), in which China also participates with nearly 10% of its construction and operation.
The history of records and experiments guarantees practical insights to be able to develop the China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor, which will be the next generation of “artificial sun” in China.
