Fusion Energy Breakthrough: Turbulence Simulations Match Plasma Experiments

An international research team has achieved a significant breakthrough in understanding turbulent transport processes within nuclear fusion devices. Researchers have confirmed leading turbulence simulation code calculations to an unprecedented degree, paving the way for predicting the performance of future fusion power plants. The study, published in *Nature Communications*, details how scientists compared seven key plasma turbulence parameters, achieving comprehensive agreement between experimental results and computer simulations. Using unique diagnostic equipment at the IPP ASDEX Upgrade fusion device, researchers precisely measured plasma properties during discharges with varying settings. Comparative plasma simulations were conducted using the GENE code, a globally recognized tool for modeling turbulent processes. This research, requiring two months of supercomputer time to model milliseconds of turbulence, marks a crucial step toward harnessing fusion energy by understanding and managing plasma turbulence, which impacts energy confinement time.