23rd International Spherical Torus Workshop

  2. Agenda

CONFERENCE TIMETABLE

TimeMonday16 Nov 2026Tuesday17 Nov 2026Wednesday18 Nov 2026Thursday19 Nov 2026Friday20 Nov 2026
08:30 - 09:00
08:30-09:00 Registration desk open
08:30-10:20 T1: Plasma initiation, merging and sustainment Overview, Invited
08:30-09:55 W1: Experiments, negative triangularity, diagnostics and transport Overview, Invited
08:30-10:20 Th1: Experimental programmes and integrated scenarios Overview, Invited
08:30-10:25 F1: Integrated modelling, control and future directions Overview, Invited, Contributed
09:00 - 09:30
09:00-09:30 Welcome and practical information Organising Committee
09:30 - 09:55
09:30-10:30 M1: Reactor concepts and development pathways Overview
09:55 - 10:20
09:55-10:25 Coffee break
10:20 - 10:25
10:20-10:50 Coffee break
10:20-10:50 Coffee break
10:25 - 10:30
10:25-12:05 W1: Experiments, negative triangularity, diagnostics and transport Contributed
10:25-10:55 Coffee break
10:30 - 10:50
10:30-11:00 Coffee break
10:50 - 10:55
10:50-12:20 T1: Plasma initiation, merging and sustainment Invited, Contributed
10:50-12:40 Th1: Experimental programmes and integrated scenarios Invited, Contributed
10:55 - 11:00
10:55-11:35 F1: Integrated modelling, control and future directions Contributed
11:00 - 11:35
11:00-13:00 M1: Reactor concepts and development pathways Invited, Contributed
11:35 - 12:00
11:35-12:00 Workshop conclusions and scientific highlights Rapporteurs / SPC
12:00 - 12:05
12:00-12:20 Future meetings and community announcements
12:05 - 12:20
12:05-12:20 Scientific synthesis Organising Committee
12:20 - 12:40
12:20-14:10 Lunch break
12:20-14:00 Lunch break
12:20-12:40 Closing remarks Organising Committee
12:40 - 13:00
12:40-14:10 Lunch break
 
13:00 - 14:00
13:00-14:30 Lunch break
14:00 - 14:10 
14:10 - 14:30
14:10-15:40 Poster Session 2: Start-up, heating and current drive, wave physics and diagnostics
14:10-15:40 Poster Session 3: Edge and exhaust, transport and turbulence, stability and energetic particles
14:30 - 15:40
14:30-16:00 Poster Session 1: Devices, reactor concepts, engineering, equilibrium and control
15:40 - 16:00
15:40-16:00 Coffee break
15:40-16:00 Coffee break
16:00 - 16:20
16:00-16:20 Coffee break
16:00-17:40 T2: Heating, current drive, diagnostics and energetic particles Contributed
16:00-17:40 Th2: Edge, exhaust, transport, modelling and control Contributed
16:20 - 17:20
16:20-17:20 M2: Engineering and integrated modelling Contributed
17:20 - 17:40
17:20-18:00 Session discussion and transition
17:40 - 18:00
17:40-18:00 Session discussion and transition
 
18:00 - 19:30 
18:00-19:30 Industry Information Session
18:15 
18:15-19:30 Guided Visit University of Seville / PSFT
19:00
19:00 Welcome reception
 
20:00 
20:00 Conference dinner

Monday, 16 Nov 2026

  1. 08:30-09:00
    Registration
    Registration desk open
  2. 09:00-09:30
    Opening
    Welcome and practical information
    Speaker: Organising Committee
  3. 09:30-10:00
    OverviewAbstract ID: 58
    The SMART tokamak: status, first results and future programme
    Speaker: Eleonora ViezzerAffiliation: University of SevilleCountry: Spain
    Session: M1: Reactor concepts and development pathways
  4. 10:00-10:30
    OverviewAbstract ID: 28
    Progress of the Plasma Scenario for the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production
    Speaker: Hendrik MeyerAffiliation: UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd.Country: United Kingdom
    Session: M1: Reactor concepts and development pathways
  5. 10:30-11:00
    Coffee break
    Coffee break
  6. 11:00-11:25
    InvitedAbstract ID: 24
    An overview of ST-E1: Tokamak Energy's fusion power plant concept
    Speaker: Steven McNamaraAffiliation: Tokamak Energy LtdCountry: United Kingdom
    Session: M1: Reactor concepts and development pathways
  7. 11:25-11:50
    InvitedAbstract ID: 78
    Physics design of a Spherical Tokamak Advanced Reactor (STAR)
    Speaker: Jonathan MenardAffiliation: Princeton Plasma Physics LaboratoryCountry: USA
    Session: M1: Reactor concepts and development pathways
  8. 11:50-12:15
    InvitedAbstract ID: 90
    BRIGHT, a low aspect ratio, negative triangularity, high field tokamak as a pathway towards spherical tokamak based fusion power plants
    Speaker: Fernando Puentes del PozoAffiliation: University of SevilleCountry: Spain
    Session: M1: Reactor concepts and development pathways
  9. 12:15-12:40
    InvitedAbstract ID: 37
    DANTE - Compact Fusion Neutron Source
    Speaker: Mikhail GryaznevichAffiliation: DanteFusion ApSCountry: Denmark
    Session: M1: Reactor concepts and development pathways
  10. 12:40-13:00
    ContributedAbstract ID: 101
    Preliminary Design of CTRFR: A Low-Cost Spherical Tokamak Targeting Q > 1
    Speaker: Pengcheng XieAffiliation: Startorus FusionCountry: China
    Session: M1: Reactor concepts and development pathways
  11. 13:00-14:30
    Lunch break
    Lunch break
  12. 14:30-16:00
    Poster session
    Poster Session 1: Devices, reactor concepts, engineering, equilibrium and control
    Session: Poster Session 1
  13. 16:00-16:20
    Coffee break
    Coffee break
  14. 16:20-16:40
    ContributedAbstract ID: 6
    Progress of the EHL-2 Spherical Torus Engineering Design and construction
    Speaker: Yuanming YangAffiliation: ENN Fusion Energy Science and Technology Co., Ltd.Country: China
    Session: M2: Engineering and integrated modelling
  15. 16:40-17:00
    ContributedAbstract ID: 102
    Physics and engineering study of DANTE, a compact ST neutron source
    Speaker: Michele RomanelliAffiliation: Next Step Fusion LtdCountry: United Kingdom
    Session: M2: Engineering and integrated modelling
  16. 17:00-17:20
    ContributedAbstract ID: 16
    Toward Intelligent Fusion Research: Artificial Intelligence Applications on the EXL-50U Spherical Torus
    Speaker: Jianguo ChenAffiliation: Beijing ENN Fusion Energy Science and Technology Co. Ltd.Country: China
    Session: M2: Engineering and integrated modelling
  17. 17:20-18:00
    Discussion / buffer
    Session discussion and transition
  18. 19:00
    Social event
    Welcome reception

Tuesday, 17 Nov 2026

  1. 08:30-09:00
    OverviewAbstract ID: 26
    Experimental Progress for 20 years and Future Plans on Spherical Tokamak, QUEST
    Speaker: Kazuaki HanadaAffiliation: Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu UniversityCountry: Japan
    Session: T1: Plasma initiation, merging and sustainment
  2. 09:00-09:30
    OverviewAbstract ID: 23
    Results from the CDX-U, LTX, and LTX-beta lithium wall programs
    Speaker: Richard MajeskiAffiliation: Princeton Plasma Physics LaboratoryCountry: USA
    Session: T1: Plasma initiation, merging and sustainment
  3. 09:30-09:55
    InvitedAbstract ID: 12
    Overview of ST Merging Experiments in University of Tokyo
    Speaker: Yasushi OnoAffiliation: University of TokyoCountry: Japan
    Session: T1: Plasma initiation, merging and sustainment
  4. 09:55-10:20
    InvitedAbstract ID: 50
    Overview of tokamak plasma start-up studies using radio frequency waves on TST-2
    Speaker: Naoto TsujiiAffiliation: The University of TokyoCountry: Japan
    Session: T1: Plasma initiation, merging and sustainment
  5. 10:20-10:50
    Coffee break
    Coffee break
  6. 10:50-11:15
    InvitedAbstract ID: 45
    Electron Bernstein Wave coupling on MAST and TCV
    Speaker: Simon FreethyAffiliation: UKAEACountry: United Kingdom
    Session: T1: Plasma initiation, merging and sustainment
  7. 11:15-11:40
    InvitedAbstract ID: 19
    Development of the RF-Plugged Divertor Concept for Advanced Particle Control in Spherical Tokamaks
    Speaker: Ryuya IkezoeAffiliation: Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu UniversityCountry: Japan
    Session: T1: Plasma initiation, merging and sustainment
  8. 11:40-12:00
    ContributedAbstract ID: 51
    Recent Experiments on Start-up of Spherical Tokamak by EBW in Low Aspect ratio Torus Experiment (LATE) device
    Speaker: Masaki UchidaAffiliation: Kyoto UniversityCountry: Japan
    Session: T1: Plasma initiation, merging and sustainment
  9. 12:00-12:20
    ContributedAbstract ID: 61
    Merging/compression optimization and low inductive scenario development in ST40
    Speaker: Hiroshi TanabeAffiliation: University of TokyoCountry: Japan
    Session: T1: Plasma initiation, merging and sustainment
  10. 12:20-14:10
    Lunch break
    Lunch break
  11. 14:10-15:40
    Poster session
    Poster Session 2: Start-up, heating and current drive, wave physics and diagnostics
    Session: Poster Session 2
  12. 15:40-16:00
    Coffee break
    Coffee break
  13. 16:00-16:20
    ContributedAbstract ID: 40
    Numerical investigation of the O-X mode conversion and EBW current drive prospects in the SMART spherical tokamak
    Speaker: Christos VagkidisAffiliation: IGVP, University of StuttgartCountry: Germany
    Session: T2: Heating, current drive, diagnostics and energetic particles
  14. 16:20-16:40
    ContributedAbstract ID: 41
    Assessment of Combined ICRH and NBI Heating Schemes in EXL-50U and EHL-2
    Speaker: Dani Gallart EscolaAffiliation: ENN Science and Technology Development Co., Ltd.Country: China
    Session: T2: Heating, current drive, diagnostics and energetic particles
  15. 16:40-17:00
    ContributedAbstract ID: 77
    Dual utilization of X-I and O-I ECCD for plasma start-up and ramp-up to full plasma parameters in ST-based fusion reactor
    Speaker: Masayuki OnoAffiliation: PPPL / Princeton UniversityCountry: USA
    Session: T2: Heating, current drive, diagnostics and energetic particles
  16. 17:00-17:20
    ContributedAbstract ID: 70
    Solid and liquid lithium usage to fulfill science and technology missions in NSTX-U
    Speaker: Rajesh MaingiAffiliation: Princeton Plasma Physics LaboratoryCountry: USA
    Session: T2: Heating, current drive, diagnostics and energetic particles
  17. 17:20-17:40
    ContributedAbstract ID: 62
    Resolving electron Bernstein waves in fullwave simulation
    Speaker: Syun'ichi ShiraiwaAffiliation: Princeton Plasma Physics LaboratoryCountry: USA
    Session: T2: Heating, current drive, diagnostics and energetic particles
  18. 17:40-18:00
    Discussion / buffer
    Session discussion and transition
  19. 18:00-19:30
    Special event
    Industry Information Session

Wednesday, 18 Nov 2026

  1. 08:30-09:00
    OverviewAbstract ID: 4
    Overview of EXL-50U Experiments: Addressing Key Physics Issues for Future Spherical Torus Reactors
    Speaker: Yuejiang ShiAffiliation: Beijing ENN Fusion Energy Science and Technology Co., Ltd.Country: China
    Session: W1: Experiments, negative triangularity, diagnostics and transport
  2. 09:00-09:30
    OverviewAbstract ID: 46
    ST40: Recent results, on-going upgrades and upcoming experimental programme
    Speaker: Otto AsuntaAffiliation: Tokamak Energy Ltd.Country: United Kingdom
    Session: W1: Experiments, negative triangularity, diagnostics and transport
  3. 09:30-09:55
    InvitedAbstract ID: 64
    Overview of the Pegasus-III Experiment Program
    Speaker: Stephanie DiemAffiliation: University of Wisconsin-MadisonCountry: USA
    Session: W1: Experiments, negative triangularity, diagnostics and transport
  4. 09:55-10:25
    Coffee break
    Coffee break
  5. 10:25-10:45
    ContributedAbstract ID: 99
    Multimodal representation learning for SUNIST-2 plasmas
    Speaker: Kunyu ChenAffiliation: Tsinghua UniversityCountry: China
    Session: W1: Experiments, negative triangularity, diagnostics and transport
  6. 10:45-11:05
    ContributedAbstract ID: 25
    Control development of the Negative Triangularity Scenario for MAST-U
    Speaker: Charles VincentAffiliation: UKAEACountry: United Kingdom
    Session: W1: Experiments, negative triangularity, diagnostics and transport
  7. 11:05-11:25
    ContributedAbstract ID: 15
    Investigation of Fast-Ion Driven Instabilities in EXL-50U
    Speaker: Yongqin WangAffiliation: Beijing ENN Fusion Energy Science and Technology Co., Ltd.Country: China
    Session: W1: Experiments, negative triangularity, diagnostics and transport
  8. 11:25-11:45
    ContributedAbstract ID: 65
    Initial measurement of electric potential profiles and fluctuations using a heavy ion beam probe in the QUEST spherical tokamak
    Speaker: Naoya IshibashiAffiliation: Kyushu UniversityCountry: Japan
    Session: W1: Experiments, negative triangularity, diagnostics and transport
  9. 11:45-12:05
    ContributedAbstract ID: 20
    The impact of impurities and fusion-alphas on electromagnetic turbulence in STEP
    Speaker: Arka BokshiAffiliation: UKAEACountry: United Kingdom
    Session: W1: Experiments, negative triangularity, diagnostics and transport
  10. 12:05-12:20
    Visit briefing
    Scientific synthesis
    Speaker: Organising Committee
    Session: W1: Experiments, negative triangularity, diagnostics and transport
  11. 12:20-14:00
    Lunch break
    Lunch break
  12. 18:15
    Technical visit
    Guided Visit
    Affiliation: University of Seville / PSFT
    Session: SMART visit
  13. 20:00
    Social event
    Conference dinner

Thursday, 19 Nov 2026

  1. 08:30-09:00
    OverviewAbstract ID: 81
    Overview of recent results from MAST Upgrade
    Speaker: Daniel KennedyAffiliation: United Kingdom Atomic Energy AuthorityCountry: United Kingdom
    Session: Th1: Experimental programmes and integrated scenarios
  2. 09:00-09:30
    OverviewAbstract ID: 87
    Physics Progress in VEST Toward Reactor-Relevant Spherical Tokamak Operation
    Speaker: Jong Yoon ParkAffiliation: Seoul National UniversityCountry: Republic of Korea
    Session: Th1: Experimental programmes and integrated scenarios
  3. 09:30-09:55
    InvitedAbstract ID: 36
    NSTX-U Update and Research Plan
    Speaker: Stanley KayeAffiliation: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory / Princeton UniversityCountry: USA
    Session: Th1: Experimental programmes and integrated scenarios
  4. 09:55-10:20
    InvitedAbstract ID: 79
    Progress Toward a Stationary High-Confinement Spherical Tokamak Scenario via Experiment and Modeling on MAST-U and NSTX-U
    Speaker: Kathreen ThomeAffiliation: General AtomicsCountry: USA
    Session: Th1: Experimental programmes and integrated scenarios
  5. 10:20-10:50
    Coffee break
    Coffee break
  6. 10:50-11:15
    InvitedAbstract ID: 30
    From X-point to inner-SOL radiators: nitrogen-seeded radiative exhaust across magnetic configurations and divertor geometries in MAST-U
    Speaker: Stuart HendersonAffiliation: UKAEACountry: United Kingdom
    Session: Th1: Experimental programmes and integrated scenarios
  7. 11:15-11:40
    InvitedAbstract ID: 33
    Comprehensive Evaluation of Linear and Non-Linear Electron Cyclotron Heating and Current Drive Scenarios for the SMART Tokamak
    Speaker: Nicola BertelliAffiliation: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory / Princeton UniversityCountry: USA
    Session: Th1: Experimental programmes and integrated scenarios
  8. 11:40-12:00
    ContributedAbstract ID: 74
    Impact of inner leg geometry on divertor detachment in MAST-U and comparison with analytical models
    Speaker: Fabio FedericiAffiliation: Oak Ridge National LaboratoryCountry: USA
    Session: Th1: Experimental programmes and integrated scenarios
  9. 12:00-12:20
    ContributedAbstract ID: 54
    Hot-Ion Modes in the High-Field Compact Spherical Tokamak Globus-M2
    Speaker: Gleb KurskievAffiliation: Ioffe InstituteCountry: Russia
    Session: Th1: Experimental programmes and integrated scenarios
  10. 12:20-12:40
    ContributedAbstract ID: 32
    Impact of divertor design on helium exhaust in STEP
    Speaker: Ryoko OsawaAffiliation: UKAEACountry: United Kingdom
    Session: Th1: Experimental programmes and integrated scenarios
  11. 12:40-14:10
    Lunch break
    Lunch break
  12. 14:10-15:40
    Poster session
    Poster Session 3: Edge and exhaust, transport and turbulence, stability and energetic particles
    Session: Poster Session 3
  13. 15:40-16:00
    Coffee break
    Coffee break
  14. 16:00-16:20
    ContributedAbstract ID: 76
    Quasi-continuous exhaust regime in MAST-U spherical tokamak: the role of plasma shaping parameters
    Speaker: Koki ImadaAffiliation: University of YorkCountry: United Kingdom
    Session: Th2: Edge, exhaust, transport, modelling and control
  15. 16:20-16:40
    ContributedAbstract ID: 80
    Detachment Controller Design with DIV1D for the MAST-U Tokamak
    Speaker: Kurt FleschAffiliation: University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleCountry: USA
    Session: Th2: Edge, exhaust, transport, modelling and control
  16. 16:40-17:00
    ContributedAbstract ID: 29
    Kinetic modifications to parallel transport in a low recycling scrape-off layer: A one dimensional gyrokinetic study
    Speaker: Anurag MaanAffiliation: Princeton Plasma Physics LaboratoryCountry: USA
    Session: Th2: Edge, exhaust, transport, modelling and control
  17. 17:00-17:20
    ContributedAbstract ID: 94
    Pedestal studies of Negative Triangularity Experiments in MAST-U and Implications for SMART
    Speaker: David Del Carmen Pena ArevaloAffiliation: University of SevilleCountry: Spain
    Session: Th2: Edge, exhaust, transport, modelling and control
  18. 17:20-17:40
    ContributedAbstract ID: 59
    Effect of divertor geometry on upstream and divertor SOL profiles in attached and detached H-mode plasmas on MAST Upgrade
    Speaker: Sarah ElmoreAffiliation: UKAEACountry: United Kingdom
    Session: Th2: Edge, exhaust, transport, modelling and control

Friday, 20 Nov 2026

  1. 08:30-09:00
    OverviewAbstract ID: 100
    Recent progress in the SUNIST-2 spherical tokamak
    Speaker: Yi TanAffiliation: Tsinghua UniversityCountry: China
    Session: F1: Integrated modelling, control and future directions
  2. 09:00-09:25
    InvitedAbstract ID: 68
    Various fluctuations in lower hybrid wave sustained TST-2 plasmas
    Speaker: Akira EjiriAffiliation: The University of TokyoCountry: Japan
    Session: F1: Integrated modelling, control and future directions
  3. 09:25-09:45
    ContributedAbstract ID: 14
    Supporting NSTX-U Operations Through Model-Based Control Development and Experimental Validation on MAST-U
    Speaker: Andres PajaresAffiliation: General AtomicsCountry: USA
    Session: F1: Integrated modelling, control and future directions
  4. 09:45-10:05
    ContributedAbstract ID: 38
    COTSIM: An AI-accelerated Predictive Transport Framework for Scenario Optimization, Real-Time State Estimation, and Integrated Control in NSTX-U
    Speaker: Brian LeardAffiliation: Lehigh UniversityCountry: USA
    Session: F1: Integrated modelling, control and future directions
  5. 10:05-10:25
    ContributedAbstract ID: 69
    Scenario Development for Low Collisionality H-mode Operation at NSTX-U
    Speaker: James YangAffiliation: Princeton Plasma Physics LaboratoryCountry: USA
    Session: F1: Integrated modelling, control and future directions
  6. 10:25-10:55
    Coffee break
    Coffee break
  7. 10:55-11:15
    ContributedAbstract ID: 44
    Validation of JINTRAC Predictive Modelling Capabilities for MAST Upgrade Plasmas
    Speaker: Leonardo BurlaAffiliation: UKAEACountry: United Kingdom
    Session: F1: Integrated modelling, control and future directions
  8. 11:15-11:35
    ContributedAbstract ID: 86
    Local and global effect of n=2 magnetic perturbations on fast-ion losses in the MAST-U spherical tokamak
    Speaker: Lina Velarde GallardoAffiliation: University of Seville / Centro Nacional de AceleradoresCountry: Spain
    Session: F1: Integrated modelling, control and future directions
  9. 11:35-12:00
    Scientific synthesis
    Workshop conclusions and scientific highlights
    Speaker: Rapporteurs / SPC
  10. 12:00-12:20
    Community session
    Future meetings and community announcements
  11. 12:20-12:40
    Closing
    Closing remarks
    Speaker: Organising Committee