Controlled Nuclear Fusion: A Bulgarian Breakthrough

Bulgarian scientists from the Institute of Electronics at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) achieved a significant scientific breakthrough in the field of controlled nuclear fusion.

Their developed retarding field analyzer, installed on the WEST tokamak in France, allowed for the first time the measurement of ion temperature in the divertor of the device, generating results that will revolutionize the modeling of physical processes in this type of experiment.

The news was announced during the 24th edition of the International School on Vacuum, Electronic and Ion Technologies, held from September 15 to 19 in Sozopol.

Dr. Jernej Kovacic from the University of Ljubljana, part of the international team, including scientists from Bulgaria, France, Czech Republic and Slovenia, presented the key findings to over 100 participants from various countries around the world.

The announcement from the Institute of Electronics at BAS emphasizes that the team proved the unexpected existence of a significant difference between the ion and electron temperature in the divertor of the WEST tokamak. Previous models assumed equality between the two temperatures.

This discovery, representing a significant scientific breakthrough, will require a revision of existing theoretical models and will lead to significant changes in the approach to modeling the physical processes related to controlled nuclear fusion.

This process is considered one of the most promising future energy sources. The significance of the achievement is undeniable, as it fundamentally changes our understanding of plasma behavior under the conditions of controlled nuclear fusion experiments.

The work of the Bulgarian scientists demonstrates Bulgaria"s leading position in this key area of modern science.

The International School, organized jointly by the Institute of Electronics at BAS and the Netherlands Institute for Fundamental Energy Research in Eindhoven, brought together scientists from the UK, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Ukraine, France, Czech Republic and Japan.

• It also involved 33 young scientists and students, contributing to the exchange of ideas and stimulating future development in the field.
• Among the presented topics was the production of graphene and its application in "smart glass", foreshadowing promising prospects for the mass production of high-quality glazing units for the residential sector and the automotive industry.

In the context of this impressive success, it is worth remembering that the Institute of Electronics at BAS is a proven organizer of international scientific forums.

In October 2024, the institution hosted the International Conference and School on Quantum Electronics "Laser Physics and Applications", bringing together 90 researchers from 15 countries on three continents.

The regular holding of such events is an indicator of Bulgaria"s active participation in global scientific cooperation and its contribution to the development of science. The atmosphere in Sozopol during the school was full of excitement, testifying to the importance of the topics discussed and the results achieved.

Scientists exchanged valuable ideas and contacts, strengthening international collaborative work in the field of vacuum, electronic and ion technology.