China’s artificial sun project HL-3, an experiment device of nuclear fusion, made significant progress on August 25.

The new-generation artificial sun operated in high-confinement mode with a plasma current of 1 million amperes. This sets a new record in China's magnetically controlled confinement fusion technology.

To achieve energy through nuclear fusion, it is necessary to raise the plasma comprehensive parameters to ignition conditions. The high-confinement mode is an advanced operation mode, which is also the standard operation mode of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), the world’s largest fusion experiment to build an artificial sun with the collaboration of 35 nations.

The high-confinement mode improves the overall confinement performance of the plasma. Compared with the ordinary operation mode, this mode can increase the comprehensive parameters of the plasma by several times.

As a cutting-edge technology, controlled nuclear fusion has outstanding advantages such as providing rich resources, being environment-friendly and being inherently secure. It is a key way to address the global energy problem, and is strategically significant for China's economic and social development.

The research team will further develop core technologies such as high-power heating and current drive, and advanced plasma operation control to lay a solid foundation for China to carry out burning plasma experiments and build fusion reactors independently.