High-Temperature Plasmas

High-temperature plasmas are states of matter where gases are heated to extremely high temperatures, causing atoms to lose their electrons and form charged particles, known as ions and electrons. This ionized gas is essential in fusion physics, as it is the same condition needed for nuclear fusion—the process that powers the sun. In a fusion reactor, these plasmas must be maintained at millions of degrees Celsius to overcome the repulsion between positively charged atomic nuclei, allowing them to fuse and release significant energy. Managing such plasmas is crucial for developing sustainable fusion energy as a clean power source.