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MiniTRUST has been developed as a scaled engineering device of the Tuscia Research University Small Tokamak (TRUST) through a collaboration between the University of Tuscia (UNITUS) and the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP). Conceived as an intermediate step toward the commissioning of TRUST, it provides a flexible platform for validating magnetic systems, diagnostics, control electronics, and data acquisition hardware before their implementation on the full-scale device. In addition, miniTRUST serves as the first experimental platform for testing the Alternative Magnetic Layout (AML), enabling the assessment of its electromagnetic behaviour and operational feasibility prior to its implementation on TRUST [1, 2].
Particular emphasis is placed on the magnetic system, supporting the commissioning of the central solenoid, poloidal field coils, power supplies, and control strategies, as well as the validation of electromagnetic models. The magnetic diagnostic system includes 20 fixed flux loops and a modular array of in-house developed dual-axis Hall probes, whose number and position can be adapted to experimental needs. This flexible architecture enables magnetic field mapping, sensor calibration, electromagnetic model validation, and the development of magnetic reconstruction and plasma control techniques.
The device is built around a quartz glass vacuum vessel, providing excellent optical access while allowing the future integration of vacuum pumping and glow discharge systems. Beyond its engineering role, miniTRUST also serves as an educational platform where students participate in the design, commissioning, and operation of fusion technologies, reducing technical risks for TRUST while supporting the training of future fusion engineers.
[1] S. Carusotti et. Al. (2025), “Preliminary study on alternative magnetic layout (AML) for tokamaks reactors in the TRUST project framework” Engineering and Design, Elsevier.
[2] S. Carusotti et. Al. (2025), “Overview of university-class Tokamak TRUST: Preliminary characterization of plasma scenario and disruption studies”, Fusion Engineering and Design, Elsevier.