High-Speed Imaging Reveals Lithium Pathways in Fusion Reactor Heat Management
Tokamak Energy has used a 16,000 fps color camera to observe lithium impurities in the ST40 spherical tokamak, aiming to solve the critical challenge of divertor heat exhaust. The footage shows how lithium transitions from neutral atoms to ions, tracing magnetic field lines and cooling the plasma edge. This data supports the 'X-point radiator' concept, which uses impurities to radiate heat away before it damages reactor components, with early results showing reduced heat loads on divertors.