plasma confinement time

Plasma confinement time refers to the duration for which a plasma—a hot, ionized gas consisting of charged particles—can be maintained in a controlled state within a fusion reactor. It is crucial for achieving nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun. A longer confinement time allows particles to collide more frequently, increasing the chances of fusion reactions, which release vast amounts of energy. Scientists aim to create conditions where the plasma remains stable and contained long enough to produce more energy than is consumed, a key goal in developing fusion as a sustainable energy source.