confinement time

Confinement time refers to the duration that energetic particles, such as heat or plasma, remain contained within a device like a fusion reactor before they escape or lose their energy. It's a measure of how effectively the system traps these particles to sustain fusion reactions. Longer confinement times mean particles stay contained longer, increasing the chance for fusion to occur efficiently. Essentially, it’s about how well the reactor keeps essential particles confined to maintain the conditions needed for nuclear fusion.