tokamak

[ toh-kuh-mak, tok-uh- ]

noun

, Physics.

1. a type of experimental nuclear fusion reactor in which a plasma of atoms circulates in a toroidal tube and is confined to a narrow beam by an electromagnetic field.

tokamak

/ ˈtɒkəˌmæk /

noun

1. physics a toroidal reactor used in thermonuclear experiments, in which a strong helical magnetic field keeps the plasma from contacting the external walls. The magnetic field is produced partly by current-carrying coils and partly by a large inductively driven current through the plasma

Word History and Origins

Origin of tokamak¹

1960–65; < Russian tokamák, acronym from toroidálʾnaya kámera s aksiálʾnym magnítnym pólem toroidal chamber with an axial magnetic field

Word History and Origins

Origin of tokamak¹

C20: from Russian to ( roidál'naya ) kám ( era s ) ak ( siál'nym magnitnym pólem ), toroidal chamber with magnetic field

Example Sentences

The electrons and positively charged nuclei move about the interior of the tokamak.

From MIT Technology Review

In a magnet-based reactor, known as a tokamak, the plasma is trapped inside an electromagnetic cage, forcing it to hold its shape and stopping it from touching the reactor walls, which would cool the plasma and damage the reactor.

From MIT Technology Review

This experiment is crucial for preparation for ITER—an under-construction, 80 percent completed plan to build an even bigger version of the JET tokamak.

From Popular-Science

As for ITER, the giant tokamak under construction in France, it’s only an intermediate step toward making fusion power feasible.

From Popular-Science

NIF and its counterparts can create immense pressures, more than is possible in a tokamak—but the pressures in a tokamak last much longer.

From Popular-Science