Physics & Fusion Science
Negative Triangularity in Depth
Why Kronos points the plasma's corners the 'wrong' way — and what it buys.
- Triangularity
- -0.30
- Benefit
- ELM suppression + good confinement
Conventional D-shaped plasmas use positive triangularity; HYPERION uses negative triangularity (δ = -0.30). Recent experiments show negative-δ plasmas can access good confinement while naturally suppressing edge-localised modes, easing the divertor's life without an active ELM-control system.
It is a deliberate, physics-based stability choice, not a cosmetic one.
Common questions
Why does HYPERION use negative triangularity?
Negative triangularity (δ = -0.30) can suppress edge-localised modes while keeping good confinement — protecting the divertor without an added ELM-control system.