This Glossary is a compendium of Frequently Used Terms in Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy Research. Refer to the FAQ on Conventional Fusion for more detailed info about topics in fusion research. Symmetric Tandem Mirror experiment. In a tokamak, this number is typically near unity in the center of the plasma and between two and 6 or 8 at the edge. So-called because it helps to determine the degree of stability the plasma has against certain instabilities.
Confinement is degraded within the sawtooth region.
The deflection of one particle as a result of collisions with other particles or with waves. See also Elastic. Inertial confinement is also approaching this point. This region defines the outer limit of the plasma because any plasma crossing into the SOL is rapidly lost since transport along the field is much faster than that across the field. That is, particles follow these field lines into the material surface and are lost from the plasma.