The JIFS 2026 (JT-60SA International Fusion School), an international event dedicated to nuclear fusion research, took place from August 31 to September 11, 2026, at the QST research center in Naka, Japan. The school’s program covered key topics related to plasma physics, as well as the engineering and diagnostics of systems used in tokamaks — devices designed to sustain controlled thermonuclear fusion reactions.
The JIFS 2026 (JT-60SA International Fusion School), an international event dedicated to nuclear fusion research, took place from August 31 to September 11, 2026, at the QST research center in Naka, Japan. The school’s program covered key topics related to plasma physics, as well as the engineering and diagnostics of systems used in tokamaks — devices designed to sustain controlled thermonuclear fusion reactions.
Twenty-two PhD candidates and students participated in the school: 11 from Japan and 11 from Europe. Among the participants was Piotr Pietrzak, MSc Eng., a PhD candidate from our Department whose research focuses on real-time protection systems for fusion devices.
The two-week program included lectures, study visits, and practical exercises. Participants had the opportunity to tour the JT-60SA tokamak hall, technical system areas, the control room, and various laboratories. During the practical sessions, they utilized research infrastructure associated with JT-60SA, measurement data, and analytical and computational tools.
The program also featured poster sessions, 90-second presentations on the participants' research topics, and final presentations summarizing the work done during the practical exercises. A key aspect of the school was the cultural exchange between participants from Japan and Europe, which enabled a better understanding of the experiences of individuals living and studying in different countries.
Piotr Pietrzak comments on the school:
"The JIFS 2026 school gave me a deeper understanding of the plasma physics underlying the calculations I perform in my research, providing me with a new, broader perspective. It also offered the opportunity to speak with experts in the field and gain knowledge based on their experience. Moreover, the school allowed me to meet wonderful people, learn more about the cultures of their home countries, and spend my time in a pleasant and rewarding way."
The JIFS school is organized and co-funded by QST (National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology) and the EUROfusion consortium, with the participation of lecturers and professors from numerous Japanese and European universities and research institutes. The school is also supported by the Fusion for Energy organization.
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