Stellarators are complex, twisted magnetic field configurations that for many years did not seem to confine plasma very well. They were surpassed beginning in the late 60s by the simpler tokamak configuration invented in Russia. The idea has been kept alive, mostly in Europe and more recently in Japan where two billion-dollar class stellarators are underway. The new Princeton device has been dubbed an "innovative concept" because the "compact" configuration proposed has both tokamak and stellarator features. The proponents hope to blend the good plasma confinement and smaller size aspects of the tokamak with the disruption free, steady-state features of the stellarator. The NCSX is scheduled to begin operation in mid 2007.

The international stellarator effort contributes to the continued development of the scientific underpinnings of fusion research by advancing the theory and experimental database for toroidal magnetic configurations in general. Design and eventual data interpretation in this intrinsically three-dimensional magnetic geometry requires the latest capability in advanced scientific computing.

For further information, contact: Hutch Neilson (hneilson@pppl.gov) or visit the Princeton web site (http://www.pppl.gov).