For scientists

Research firehose

Live feed of arXiv plasma-physics preprints and peer-reviewed fusion papers we've indexed. Every item is labeled by claim strength so you can separate preprints (unrefereed) from peer-reviewed work.

Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph10/18/2026
FIREWALL: A surrogate model for the rapid assessment of tokamak wall loading and melting by runaway electrons
A new surrogate model, FIREWALL, enables rapid prediction of tokamak wall melting from runaway electrons by combining pre-computed energy deposition profiles with a simplified heat diffusion solver.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph10/18/2026
Is Your AI Fast Enough to Run a Fusion Reactor?
arXiv:2610.00845v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Machine learning models are increasingly used in feedback control loops for nuclear fusion, where inference speed and predictable timing are critical. W
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph10/18/2026
Real-time Tokamak Equilibrium Reconstruction Under Limited Experimental Data via Physics-Grounded Synthetic Pre-training
arXiv:2610.09674v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Real-time equilibrium reconstruction is essential for tokamak plasma control. Data-driven surrogates are usually trained on high-quality labeled experim
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph10/18/2026
Beam filamentation instability drives deuterium-tritium fusion with polarized neutron emission
arXiv:2610.11061v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Filamentation instabilities are generally regarded as detrimental to fast-electron transport in fusion plasmas because they increase beam divergence and
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph10/18/2026
Reaching high fusion gain with grams of spin-polarized fuel
arXiv:2610.11080v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Building on recent ignition-access work of Delgado-Aparicio, Ono, and Menard, we show that even a single-use, gram-scale quantity of spin-polarized fuel
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph10/18/2026
Real-Time Plasma State Prediction via FPGA-Accelerated Quantized Recurrent Probabilistic Neural Networks
A new workflow deploys a quantized neural network on an FPGA, achieving sub-10 microsecond latency for real-time plasma state prediction, meeting the stringent demands of tokamak control systems.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph10/18/2026
AI-Accelerated Gyrokinetic Predictions of Turbulent Transport for Stellarator Design Optimization and Experimental Planning
A new AI-based surrogate model drastically reduces the computational time for gyrokinetic simulations of turbulent transport, enabling direct optimization of stellarator magnetic configurations against ion heat flux.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph9/18/2026
Gradient-Based Construction of Collisionless Steady-State Guiding-Center Distributions in Tokamaks and Stellarators
A new matrix-free, gradient-based computational method has been developed to construct steady-state guiding-center distribution functions for plasma simulations in complex magnetic geometries.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph9/18/2026
Indirect-Drive Fusion Target Design for Commercial Fusion Energy
A new preprint details scaled-up indirect-drive inertial fusion target designs for commercial energy, projecting fusion gains of 26–43 using a 10 MJ laser driver and building on demonstrated physics from the National Ignition Facility.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph9/18/2026
Scalable Production of Lead-212 and Actinium-225 Generators with Fusion Neutrons
A new preprint on arXiv proposes using deuterium-tritium fusion neutron sources to scalably produce the medical isotopes Actinium-225 and Lead-212 for targeted alpha therapies.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph9/17/2026
Helicon wave propagation, plasma generation and interaction with low-frequency waves in toroidal magnetic configurations
Researchers using the TORPEX device report the first detailed experimental characterization of helicon waves in a toroidal geometry, identifying a dominant m=+1 mode and its scaling with antenna power and magnetic field.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph9/17/2026
K-shell x-ray spectroscopy: A reliable probe for stimulated Raman scattering in inertial confinement fusion---
A new preprint proposes using titanium K-shell x-ray spectroscopy to more accurately quantify stimulated Raman scattering and associated fuel preheat in inertial confinement fusion experiments.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph9/17/2026
Pellet-Size Scaling of Quasi-Steady-State Plasma Performance in Wendelstein 7-X
New experiments on the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator show a positive correlation between hydrogen pellet size and quasi-steady-state plasma stored energy, improving confinement through turbulence suppression.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph9/15/2026
Sensitivities of electron-scale core transport in MAST Upgrade
Gyrokinetic analysis of MAST Upgrade plasmas reveals electron temperature gradient modes as a dominant driver of electron heat transport, with nonlinear simulations showing stiff transport consistent with experimental estimates.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph9/14/2026
First Experimental Evidence of Helicon Current Drive
Researchers at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility report the first definitive experimental evidence of core power deposition and current drive using helicon waves, a key technique for sustaining steady-state tokamak operation.
Open source
Peer-reviewedScience Magazine9/13/2026
The new shape of fusion
The international ITER project in France advances fusion energy research through an unprecedented engineering scale and a multinational partnership valued at over $18 billion.
Open source
Peer-reviewedNature9/13/2026
A raft of start-up firms is betting on nuclear fusion
A surge in private investment is accelerating the development of diverse fusion energy concepts, with multiple startups now building and operating machines aimed at demonstrating net energy gain within the decade.
Open source
Peer-reviewedScience Magazine9/12/2026
U.K. seeks site for world's first fusion power station
The U.K. government has initiated a national site selection process for its Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype, aiming for grid-connected operations by 2040.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/27/2026
First Plasma Commissioning and Operational Highlights from India's First Spherical Tokamak at IPR
India's Institute for Plasma Research has achieved first plasma in a new compact spherical tokamak, a device designed to investigate non-inductive startup and current drive in overdense plasmas.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/27/2026
Machine learning methods for modelling local, linear gyrokinetic simulations of MAST-U pedestal turbulence
A new study details the development of machine learning surrogate models to accelerate gyrokinetic simulations of pedestal turbulence in the MAST-U spherical tokamak.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/26/2026
An Inverse Grad-Shafranov Neural Network Approach to Tokamak Magnetic Control
Researchers at the Swiss Plasma Center have experimentally demonstrated a neural network-based magnetic control system on the TCV tokamak, achieving high-precision plasma shaping without real-time feedback.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/26/2026
Gas release from metals under irradiation with elliptic Gaussian laser beam during LID-QMS analysis
A new theoretical model published on arXiv provides an analytical expression for tritium desorption from tungsten under an elliptical laser beam, refining a key diagnostic for ITER's first wall.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/25/2026
AXUV synthetic diagnostic for ASDEX Upgrade and its application for SPI simulations
A new synthetic diagnostic tool has been developed for the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak to improve the interpretation of fast plasma phenomena measured by AXUV cameras during disruption mitigation experiments.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/24/2026
Reinforcement learning for vertical position control on the EXL-50U spherical tokamak
Researchers have experimentally validated a reinforcement learning controller for vertical plasma position on the EXL-50U spherical tokamak, matching PID accuracy with lower coil effort in simulations.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/24/2026
Zero-dimensional multi-physics-constrained parameter design and optimization for advanced quasi-isodynamic stellarators
A new zero-dimensional systems code has produced optimized conceptual designs for a staged series of quasi-isodynamic stellarators, projecting scientific breakeven for a mid-scale device and ignition for a reactor-scale plant.
Open source
Peer-reviewedScience Magazine8/22/2026
Fusion's Great Bright Hope
The National Ignition Facility is preparing for its first ignition experiments, concentrating 192 laser beams to create fusion conditions previously unseen in a laboratory setting.
Open source
Peer-reviewedScience Magazine8/21/2026
Realization of thousand-second improved confinement plasma with Super I-mode in Tokamak EAST
Researchers operating the EAST tokamak have sustained a high-confinement plasma for a record 1,056 seconds using a novel Super I-mode regime, demonstrating a potential path to steady-state operation without damaging edge instabilities.
Open source
Peer-reviewedScience Magazine8/21/2026
Laser-fusion experiment squeezes out even more energy
The National Ignition Facility has exceeded its previous fusion energy record, achieving a 3.88 MJ yield from a 2.05 MJ laser input in an inertial confinement experiment conducted on 30 July.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/20/2026
Neural network predictions of plasma confinement loss in Wendelstein 7-X pellet-fueled discharges
A new neural network model predicts the decay of enhanced plasma confinement in Wendelstein 7-X, offering a data-driven tool for real-time control of pellet injection systems.
Open source
Peer-reviewedScience Magazine8/20/2026
Private companies aim to demonstrate working fusion reactors in 2025
Multiple private fusion companies, including Commonwealth Fusion Systems and Helion, are targeting 2025 for critical demonstrations of net energy gain and the construction of next-generation fusion machines.
Open source
Peer-reviewedScience Magazine8/20/2026
Symmetric Inertial Confinement Fusion Implosions at Ultra-High Laser Energies
National Ignition Facility experiments demonstrate symmetric indirect-drive capsule implosions at 0.7 MJ, a key validation for scaling inertial confinement fusion towards ignition.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/19/2026
Sub-Second Collisionless Gyrokinetic Eigenvalue Solutions via Orbit-Invariant Decomposition
A new orbit-invariant decomposition method for solving collisionless gyrokinetic eigenvalue problems reduces single-solution times to under 0.1 seconds, a thousand-fold acceleration over established codes.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/19/2026
Data-Driven Generation of Compact Quasi-Isodynamic Stellarators
A new data-driven method accelerates the design of compact quasi-isodynamic stellarators by adapting a generative model to a high-fidelity dataset, reducing predictive error by 87% and yielding viable candidates for optimization.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/18/2026
Hybrid kinetic-MHD simulation on the formation of runaway electron current plateau during a current quench process
A new hybrid simulation couples a particle-in-cell model with the NIMROD magnetohydrodynamic code to more accurately predict runaway electron plateau formation during tokamak disruptions.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/18/2026
Minimum-q induced alternation between infernal modes and EP-driven modes in advanced tokamak configurations
arXiv:2608.15493v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: For an advanced tokamak configuration in the presence of energetic particles (EPs), the dominant instability is found to alternate between infernal mode
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/17/2026
A noise-robust Monte Carlo method for electric field calculations in EMC3
A new Monte Carlo method for calculating electric fields directly within the EMC3 plasma edge code promises more accurate simulations of stellarator transport by reducing numerical noise.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/14/2026
Scalable production of nuclear battery alpha emitters using fusion neutrons
A new preprint details a method for using 14 MeV neutrons from D-T fusion reactors to mass-produce alpha-emitting isotopes for nuclear batteries, potentially scaling global output from kilograms to tons per year.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/12/2026
Steady state, core, operational optimization of an ARC-like tokamak via plasma composition and shape
New modeling using Bayesian optimization suggests that tuning plasma shape and impurity content in an ARC-class tokamak can increase fusion power by up to 65% over baseline designs.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/10/2026
Characterization of a prototype parallel-plate $^{238}$U fission chamber with DD and DT fusion neutron sources
A prototype Uranium-238 fission chamber for the SPARC tokamak has been validated against DD and DT neutron sources, confirming its design for monitoring fusion power across a wide operational range.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/10/2026
Electron-Scale-Driven Turbulence by Negative-Density-Gradient in NSTX
Gyrokinetic simulations of NSTX plasmas identify a novel electron-scale turbulence driven by negative density gradients, which could explain significant experimental electron heat transport.
Open source
Preprint · unrefereedarXiv plasm-ph8/10/2026
Linear and nonlinear benchmark of gyrokinetic simulation of energetic particle driven toroidal Alfven eigenmodes in ITPA TAE benchmark case
A new gyrokinetic code, TEK, has been benchmarked against a standard ITPA test case for simulating energetic particle-driven toroidal Alfvén eigenmodes, providing crucial nonlinear validation data.
Open source

Sources: arXiv physics.plasm-ph + Nature / Science / Phys. Rev. fusion coverage. Preprint label means the paper has not been peer-reviewed.

Research firehose

FIREWALL: A surrogate model for the rapid assessment of tokamak wall loading and melting by runaway electrons

Is Your AI Fast Enough to Run a Fusion Reactor?

Real-time Tokamak Equilibrium Reconstruction Under Limited Experimental Data via Physics-Grounded Synthetic Pre-training

Beam filamentation instability drives deuterium-tritium fusion with polarized neutron emission

Reaching high fusion gain with grams of spin-polarized fuel

Real-Time Plasma State Prediction via FPGA-Accelerated Quantized Recurrent Probabilistic Neural Networks

AI-Accelerated Gyrokinetic Predictions of Turbulent Transport for Stellarator Design Optimization and Experimental Planning

Gradient-Based Construction of Collisionless Steady-State Guiding-Center Distributions in Tokamaks and Stellarators

Indirect-Drive Fusion Target Design for Commercial Fusion Energy

Scalable Production of Lead-212 and Actinium-225 Generators with Fusion Neutrons

Helicon wave propagation, plasma generation and interaction with low-frequency waves in toroidal magnetic configurations

K-shell x-ray spectroscopy: A reliable probe for stimulated Raman scattering in inertial confinement fusion---

Pellet-Size Scaling of Quasi-Steady-State Plasma Performance in Wendelstein 7-X

Sensitivities of electron-scale core transport in MAST Upgrade

First Experimental Evidence of Helicon Current Drive

The new shape of fusion

A raft of start-up firms is betting on nuclear fusion

U.K. seeks site for world's first fusion power station

First Plasma Commissioning and Operational Highlights from India's First Spherical Tokamak at IPR

Machine learning methods for modelling local, linear gyrokinetic simulations of MAST-U pedestal turbulence

An Inverse Grad-Shafranov Neural Network Approach to Tokamak Magnetic Control

Gas release from metals under irradiation with elliptic Gaussian laser beam during LID-QMS analysis

AXUV synthetic diagnostic for ASDEX Upgrade and its application for SPI simulations

Reinforcement learning for vertical position control on the EXL-50U spherical tokamak

Zero-dimensional multi-physics-constrained parameter design and optimization for advanced quasi-isodynamic stellarators

Fusion's Great Bright Hope

Realization of thousand-second improved confinement plasma with Super I-mode in Tokamak EAST

Laser-fusion experiment squeezes out even more energy

Neural network predictions of plasma confinement loss in Wendelstein 7-X pellet-fueled discharges

Private companies aim to demonstrate working fusion reactors in 2025

Symmetric Inertial Confinement Fusion Implosions at Ultra-High Laser Energies

Sub-Second Collisionless Gyrokinetic Eigenvalue Solutions via Orbit-Invariant Decomposition

Data-Driven Generation of Compact Quasi-Isodynamic Stellarators

Hybrid kinetic-MHD simulation on the formation of runaway electron current plateau during a current quench process

Minimum-q induced alternation between infernal modes and EP-driven modes in advanced tokamak configurations

A noise-robust Monte Carlo method for electric field calculations in EMC3

Scalable production of nuclear battery alpha emitters using fusion neutrons

Steady state, core, operational optimization of an ARC-like tokamak via plasma composition and shape

Characterization of a prototype parallel-plate $^{238}$U fission chamber with DD and DT fusion neutron sources

Electron-Scale-Driven Turbulence by Negative-Density-Gradient in NSTX

Linear and nonlinear benchmark of gyrokinetic simulation of energetic particle driven toroidal Alfven eigenmodes in ITPA TAE benchmark case