SLIDER BARS
These represent the most important controls in a magnetic fusion reactor.
- Plasma Density
- Measures how close together particles are. If the plasma
particles are
closer (higher density values), they are more likely to collide and fuse.
- Auxiliary Heating Power
- Power must be put into the plasma to make the charged particles (ions)
move faster (a scientist would say the power raised the
temperature
of the plasma). If two ions collide at a high enough speed, they can overcome
their natural repulsion and fuse.
- Magnetic Field
- If the plasma particles strike the surrounding walls, they slow
down again. So, a tokamak uses magnetic fields to keep the plasma away from
the walls (we say that the magnetic field confines the plasma).