Empirical Validation of the LIFE Framework: Predicting Tokamak Plasma Disruptions via Unified Force Density Equilibrium and Magnetic Divergence

Achieving stable magnetic confinement in nuclear fusion plasmas remains a profound theoretical and engineering challenge. While standard Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models treat mechanical fluid dynamics and electrodynamics as coupled but distinct systems, this paper introduces a unified theoretical framework. By integrating the Navier-Stokes equations with the Local Interaction Field Equilibrium (LIFE) theory, all physical interactions—including mechanical pressure, inertia, and electromagnetic fields—are rigorously expressed in identical dimensions of volumetric force density . Crucially, this unified equilibrium predicts a non-zero magnetic divergence ( ) as a localized physical mechanism driving energy conversion prior to macroscopic instabilities. To empirically validate this, a frozen double-blind testing protocol was executed on the open-access TCABR Tokamak dataset (2,189 discharges). By calculating the spatial gradient across 21 Mirnov coils, the LIFE magnetic divergence signal was isolated. The automated algorithm successfully detected a threshold breach prior to the catastrophic IPlasma current quench in 33 disruptive shots, yielding an average early warning lead time of 0.234 ms (max 1.502 ms). These findings transition the LIFE framework from a theoretical model to a proven, physically explainable precursor detection system for mitigating instabilities in Tokamak confinement.

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Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-09-18
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22837906
Primary Topic
Magnetic confinement fusion research
Type
preprint
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Empirical Validation of the LIFE Framework: Predicting Tokamak Plasma Disruptions via Unified Force Density Equilibrium and Magnetic Divergence

Wim Vegt
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Magnetic confinement fusion research
preprint

Empirical Validation of the LIFE Framework: Predicting Tokamak Plasma Disruptions via Unified Force Density Equilibrium and Magnetic Divergence

Wim Vegt
preprint en

Abstract

Achieving stable magnetic confinement in nuclear fusion plasmas remains a profound theoretical and engineering challenge. While standard Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models treat mechanical fluid dynamics and electrodynamics as coupled but distinct systems, this paper introduces a unified theoretical framework. By integrating the Navier-Stokes equations with the Local Interaction Field Equilibrium (LIFE) theory, all physical interactions—including mechanical pressure, inertia, and electromagnetic fields—are rigorously expressed in identical dimensions of volumetric force density . Crucially, this unified equilibrium predicts a non-zero magnetic divergence ( ) as a localized physical mechanism driving energy conversion prior to macroscopic instabilities. To empirically validate this, a frozen double-blind testing protocol was executed on the open-access TCABR Tokamak dataset (2,189 discharges). By calculating the spatial gradient across 21 Mirnov coils, the LIFE magnetic divergence signal was isolated. The automated algorithm successfully detected a threshold breach prior to the catastrophic IPlasma current quench in 33 disruptive shots, yielding an average early warning lead time of 0.234 ms (max 1.502 ms). These findings transition the LIFE framework from a theoretical model to a proven, physically explainable precursor detection system for mitigating instabilities in Tokamak confinement.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Eindhoven University of Technology (NL)
Magnetic confinement fusion research
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