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TECHNOLOGY · TechnologyConfinement approaches

Tokamak

Official name
Tokamak magnetic confinement
ENGLISH
Tokamak

A tokamak uses magnetic fields to confine hot plasma in a toroidal vessel. Integrated design covering heating, control and materials is essential.

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A terminology guide explaining meaning and role.Checked: 2026-10-08。
Glossary
Functional diagram showing confinement by superimposing fields from toroidal field coils and plasma current. Heating, measurement, control and heat removal are also shown.
Functional relationships between tokamak field-generating equipment and operating support equipment. This concept explains principles, not actual device layout or scale.FUSION INDUSTRY editorial team — original diagram

A tokamak uses magnetic fields to confine hot plasma in a toroidal vessel. Integrated design covering heating, control and materials is essential.

Business considerations

Consider manufacturing repeatability, maintenance, quality assurance and supply availability alongside individual performance. Check the reactor's overall objectives and the scope demonstrated for each component.

JT-60SA viewed from above inside its building, with pipes, supports and access walkways around the cylindrical machine.
JT-60SA at QST in Naka City, Ibaraki. Photograph published in F4E’s article of October 24, 2023; shooting date unknown.Photo: © F4E/QST / Fusion for Energy · F4E terms and conditions

Understanding the organizations and companies

Tokamak research-device operators, reactor developers and equipment suppliers have different roles. QST/F4E's JT-60SA, the ITER Organization and CFS's SPARC differ in research purpose and development stage. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' and General Atomics' major-component experience and Furukawa Electric's superconducting-wire supply relationships illustrate industrial connections that exist before a reactor is completed.

QST／Fusion for Energy / ITER Organization / Commonwealth Fusion Systems / Mitsubishi Heavy Industries / General Atomics / Furukawa Electric / SuperPower / Tokamak Energy

Official information from related companies and research institutions

Check each organization’s announcements for development progress and technical documentation.

QST／Fusion for Energy Plasma research and Japan–Europe collaboration using JT-60SA. Integrated commissioning after upgrades began in February 2026.ITER Organization Integration and construction of the international experimental reactor. Sector-module installation was confirmed in July 2026. ITER does not generate electricity.Commonwealth Fusion Systems Develops SPARC with high-temperature superconducting magnets and the subsequent ARC project. Q > 1 is a company target.Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Develops and manufactures ITER components including toroidal-field coils and divertors.General Atomics Manufacturing experience with ITER's central solenoid. The old operating schedule in the 2021 announcement is not the current schedule.Furukawa Electric / SuperPower / Tokamak Energy Collaboration linking high-temperature superconducting wire and magnet technology. A 2025 memorandum concerns establishing a hub in Japan.Commonwealth Fusion Systems Official information from related companiesCanon Electron Tubes & Devices Official information from related companiesMitsubishi Electric Official information from related companiesFAST Official information on research devices and projectsITER Official information on research devices and projectsJT-60SA Official information on research devices and projects
Sources and primary documents

Checked：2026-10-08

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Tokamak