Technical Details
MIFI researchers developed an experimental complex using 36 three-axis Hall effect sensors on a printed circuit board. The system autonomously measures magnetic fields at 1000 Hz, identifying parasitic fields caused by assembly imperfections in spherical tokamaks.
Context and Background
The Russian Science Foundation-funded study, published in the Bulletin of the Lebedev Physics Institute, created a 1:3 scale MIFIST-1 model. This modular design allows configuration changes and sensor placement in different poloidal sections. Experiments revealed parasitic field magnitudes several times higher than theoretical predictions.
Industry Impact
The discovery highlights that even ideal designs face physical limitations. Researchers emphasize their method creates a bridge between theory and practice, helping define acceptable error margins in tokamak construction. This advancement represents a critical step toward next-generation nuclear fusion reactors.
