Editing Stellarator (section)

== Plasma heating ==
There are several ways to heat the plasma (which must be done before ignition can occur).

; Current heating : The plasma is electrically conductive, and heats up when a current is passed through it (due to electrical resistance). Only used for initial heating, as the resistance is inversely proportional to the plasma temperature.
; High-frequency electromagnetic waves : The plasma absorbs energy when electromagnetic waves are applied to it (in the same manner as food in a microwave).
; Heating by neutral particles : A neutral particle beam injector makes ions and accelerates them with an electric field. To avoid being affected by the Stellarator's magnetic field, the ions must be neutralised. Neutralised ions are then injected into the plasma. Their high kinetic energy is transferred to the plasma particles by collisions, heating them.