RECENT PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR FUSION REACTORS: PLASMA PHYSICS, MATERIALS, AND ENERGY POTENTIAL

Abstract

Nuclear fusion is undergoing a decisive transition from a predominantly experimental science to a technologically credible and economically relevant energy solution. Over the period 2020–2025, major advances have been achieved across plasma physics, confinement strategies, materials science, and reactor engineering, substantially narrowing the gap between laboratory demonstrations and commercial deployment. This review critically examines recent progress in magnetic confinement fusion (MCF) and inertial confinement fusion (ICF), emphasizing record-setting tokamak operations, sustained high-confinement plasma regimes, and the reproducible achievement of scientific ignition in laser-driven fusion experiments. Breakthroughs in plasma turbulence control, AI-assisted diagnostics, and disruption mitigation are highlighted as key enablers of stable and long-duration reactor operation. The rapid maturation of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology has enabled compact, high-field reactor concepts with significantly reduced size and cost, catalyzing unprecedented private-sector investment. In parallel, advancements in plasma-facing materials, advanced divertor geometries, additive manufacturing, and tritium breeding blanket technologies are addressing the extreme thermal, mechanical, and neutron-irradiation challenges of fusion environments. The review further evaluates techno-economic projections, regulatory evolution, and the integration of fusion power into future low-carbon energy systems. Collectively, these developments indicate that nuclear fusion is progressing from proof-of-principle toward pre-commercial realization, positioning it as a safe, scalable, and sustainable cornerstone of long-term global energy security.