First proof links plasma ripples to fusion and universe origins

Researchers at Seoul National University have experimentally confirmed for the first time the phenomenon of multiscale coupling in plasma, demonstrating how microscopic magnetic ripples can trigger large-scale structural changes. Led by Professor Hwang Yong-Seok, the team integrated fusion experiments with cosmic plasma theory to show that tiny magnetic turbulence initiates magnetic reconnection—a process where magnetic energy rapidly converts into heat and motion—resulting in a cascade of effects that reorganize plasma on a macroscopic scale. This breakthrough provides the first direct experimental evidence supporting theoretical models that small-scale disturbances can influence larger plasma dynamics. The study involved injecting a strong electron beam into plasma confined within a fusion device, inducing localized turbulence and increased plasma resistivity, which then triggered magnetic reconnection. High-resolution particle simulations performed on the KAIROS supercomputer closely matched the experimental results, reinforcing the discovery. This finding is significant for both fusion energy development and astrophysics, as it sheds light on fundamental plasma processes that power stars and cosmic events like solar flares and