MAST - the Spherical Tokamak at UKAEA Culham

The MAST experiment has been in operation at Culham since 1999. It follows the highly successful START experiment (1991 - 1998), to further explore the spherical tokamak (ST) approach.

The main objectives are:

To address key physics issues for ITER to optimize its exploitation
To investigate the potential of the spherical tokamak as a fusion component test facility or an advanced power plant
To extend tokamak operation into new regimes in order to provide improved understanding of tokamak behaviour

MAST News Bulletins

April 2008

Contents: Preparation of diagnostics for plasma operations is well advanced, with a new MSE system and additional lasers for the Thomson Scattering diagnostic. Improved remote participation facilities are available for the new experimental campaign, which was discussed at the fifth MAST Research Forum in February.

December 2007

Contents: The engineering break is nearing completion, and is expected to be ready for pump-down in the New Year. The new MAST Programme Advisory Committee, comprising of distinguished scientists from around the world, met for the first time in October.

October 2007

Contents: The fifth major engineering break on MAST is well underway. The two main tasks are the conversion of the second neutral beam injector to a JET-style PINI and installation of ELM control coils.

Earlier news bulletins from MAST:

August - September 2007

June - July 2007

May 2007

March 2007

January - February 2007

Archive news

General Information

Background information

Explanation of the mission of the MAST experiment.

The Spherical Tokamak

Background information about the ST including a conceptual power plant design (interactive cut-away).