JOINT EUROPEAN TORUS Meaning and
Definition
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Joint European Torus (JET) is a state-of-the-art experimental facility designed for research in nuclear fusion. It is one of the world's largest magnetic fusion devices and serves as Europe's principal site for investigating the viability of fusion as an energy source. JET is an integral part of the European Fusion Programme, and its findings contribute to the development of future fusion reactors.
The primary aim of JET is to replicate and study the conditions necessary for nuclear fusion, particularly the fusion of hydrogen isotopes, deuterium and tritium, at extremely high temperatures. This is achieved by employing powerful magnetic fields to confine and control a hot, ionized gas known as a plasma. JET's toroidal (ring-shaped) plasma chamber uses magnets to create a toroidal magnetic field that can confine the plasma while maintaining its necessary density and temperature.
JET's research focuses on understanding the fundamental physics of fusion, as well as exploring the technical feasibility of fusion as a sustainable energy source. Scientists and engineers at JET investigate various aspects of fusion, including plasma behavior, plasma-wall interactions, plasma heating, and methods of controlling and sustaining fusion reactions.
The knowledge gained through JET experiments helps scientists develop and optimize fusion reactor designs, with the aim of eventually achieving a practically viable fusion power plant. As an international collaborative project, JET brings together scientists, engineers, and experts from numerous European countries and beyond, fostering cross-border cooperation and knowledge exchange in the pursuit of clean and abundant fusion energy.
