The ability to keep a fusion-temperature plasma well confined is critical to the success of the fusion program. This is often impaired by turbulence and/or macroscopic instabilities.

The Loreiro Group focuses on addressing these challenges using a powerful code called Viriato, which they developed. Viriato solves complex equations related to plasma behavior. In a recent paper, Zhou, Loureiro, and colleagues used Viriato to explore how electrons gain energy in turbulent environments through interactions with small-scale magnetic waves, known as Kinetic-Alfvén waves.