On February 12, 2025, scientists from CEA-IRFM successfully sustained a hydrogen plasma inside the WEST tokamak in Cadarache, France, for 1,337 seconds—equivalent to 22 minutes and 17 seconds—surpassing China’s EAST tokamak record of 1,066 seconds by approximately 25%.

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Plasma temperature reached 50 million °C (90 million °F)—roughly three times hotter than the Sun’s core—demonstrating improved heating and stability over prior WEST performance.

Experimental setup used 2 MW of lower-hybrid heating power, delivering 2.6 GJ of injected energy. Tungsten interior components and superconducting magnets handled the extreme conditions without contamination or damage.

Record achievement advances the roadmap toward ITER, the next-generation fusion reactor being built across the plateau from WEST, and underscores Europe’s leadership in sustained plasma research.

Long-duration plasma operation represents a major milestone toward a viable, carbon-free fusion energy source, though commercial viability remains years away. Researchers now aim for longer durations and higher plasma densities in future experimental campaigns.

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