SPARC is a compact, high-field tokamak designed to demonstrate net energy from a fusion plasma for the first time in history. Developed by Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) in collaboration with MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, the device aims to achieve a plasma energy gain, or Q_plasma, greater than one. This critical milestone would prove that a self-sustaining fusion reaction within a magnetically confined plasma is scientifically feasible, paving the way for commercial fusion power plants. The project's core mission is to validate the physics and technology required for a commercially viable fusion system by producing more thermal energy from fusion reactions than is required to heat the plasma. Source: Cfs

The key technological enabler for SPARC's compact size and high performance is the use of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets. These magnets, built from rare-earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) superconducting tape, can generate significantly stronger magnetic fields compared to the low-temperature superconducting magnets used in previous large-scale experiments like ITER. The strength of the magnetic field in a tokamak is a critical parameter, as fusion power density scales with the magnetic field to the fourth power. By achieving a stronger field, SPARC can confine a hotter, denser plasma in a much smaller volume, accelerating the timeline and reducing the cost of demonstrating net fusion energy. Source: Cfs

The key technological enabler for SPARC's compact size and high performance is the use of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets.

The primary scientific objective for the SPARC experiment is to produce a plasma that yields more than twice the energy used to heat it, targeting a Q_plasma value of at least 2. The ultimate goal is to generate plasmas that produce up to 10 times the energy they consume. Achieving this level of performance would provide definitive proof of the viability of the high-field tokamak approach. This result would not only be a landmark achievement in the field of fusion /science but also provide the necessary operational data and physics basis to proceed with the design and construction of ARC, CFS's first planned commercial fusion power plant. Source: Cfs

Successful operation of SPARC would directly inform the design of ARC, a pilot power plant intended to deliver electricity to the grid. ARC is envisioned to operate with a Q_plasma of greater than 10, producing approximately 10 times more fusion power than is injected to sustain the plasma. The data from SPARC's deuterium-tritium (D-T) campaigns will be essential for validating the models used to predict ARC's performance and for finalizing its engineering design. By demonstrating net energy gain in a device with a clear and direct path to a commercial power plant, the SPARC project aims to de-risk the subsequent development of fusion energy as a practical power source. Source: Cfs