On June 11, 2025, the joint WEST / KSTAR experimental program on long shocks in a tungsten environment was officially launched at the Korea Fusion Energy Development Forum in Daejeon (South Korea).
The joint WEST / KSTAR experimental program was launched with the signing of the Specific Topic of Cooperation “Long pulse plasma operation and control in Tungsten environment”, an essential topic for future fusion power plants.
Following the signing ceremony, the first follow-up meeting of the KFE – CEA/IRFM collaboration, chaired by IRFM Director Jérôme Bucalossi and KFE President Yeongkook OH, was held, with a review of 2024 – 2025 activities, in particular ECEI (Electron Cyclotron Emission Imaging) diagnostics, SOLEDGE modeling and joint experiments on the KSTAR tokamak equipped with its new actively cooled tungsten divertor. The priorities of the 2025 – 2026 program were also discussed.
KSTAR and WEST are both experimental fusion machines using actively cooled tungsten components to study the plasma conditions expected in future fusion power plants. By combining their strengths and specificities, the two institutes plan to accelerate research and create a strong synergy on the technology and operation of long discharges with a tungsten inner wall.
The meeting was held in conjunction with the Korea Fusion Energy Development Forum, celebrating the 30th anniversary of South Korea’s fusion program, and the 4th International Fusion and Plasma Conference (iFPC).
The IRFM was also in the spotlight during the 30th anniversary ceremony of the Korean fusion program, as an emblematic partner alongside I.O., General Atomics, ASIPP, QST, UKAEA, CFS and DTT s.a.r.l..
On this occasion, Jérôme Bucalossi was presented with a plaque of thanks for the IRFM’s involvement in the KSTAR scientific program (see photo below).
