The device consists of a glass globe filled with low-pressure xenon gas excited by a high-frequency electromagnetic coil. When powered, the gas becomes plasma and forms a glowing toroidal ring, creating a visual analogue of the plasma confinement used in fusion devices such as tokamaks. The concept is inspired by previous educational demonstrations of xenon plasma toroids, including the “Tokamak in Your Home – a Xenon Plasma Toroid” project [1]. 

The project is being built by Fusion CDT PhD students with support from MSc Fusion Energy students. Alongside the device, the team is developing educational materials, demonstrations, and presentations to explain how magnetic confinement fusion works and why it is important for future energy systems. Once completed, the demonstrator will be used at school visits, science festivals, and university outreach events.

The project aims to inspire interest in plasma physics and fusion energy, strengthen connections between universities and schools, and create a long-lasting outreach tool that helps communicate the science behind one of the most promising clean energy technologies. Image is also taken from [1]. 

[1] Tokamak in Your Home – a Xenon Plasma Toroid. Instructables. https://www.instructables.com/Tokamak-in-Your-Home-a-Xenon-Plasma-Toroid/