Hiden Analytical will be exhibiting at SOFT 2026 – the 34th Symposium on Fusion Technology, taking place in Aix-en-Provence, France, from 21–25 September 2026.
Visit Booth 14 to meet Hugo Baker and Thomas Gaudy and discuss how mass spectrometry for fusion research can support measurement challenges across fusion fuel systems, plasma diagnostics and fusion-relevant materials research.
What to Expect at SOFT 2026
Organised by the Institute for Magnetic Fusion Research (IRFM) of CEA, SOFT 2026 brings together scientists, engineers, technologists and industry representatives working across fusion research and technology.
The programme spans areas including fusion power plant systems, experimental devices, plasma engineering and diagnostics, plasma-facing components, vacuum technologies, fuel cycle development and materials technology. Alongside invited talks, oral presentations and poster sessions, the conference will feature an industry and technology exhibition connecting the fusion research community with specialist technology providers.
These themes closely align with the analytical challenges encountered across the fusion fuel cycle, plasma environment and plasma-facing materials.
Hiden Analytical at SOFT 2026
At Booth 14, Hugo Baker and Thomas Gaudy will be available to discuss measurement requirements across magnetic fusion research and associated technologies.
Hiden Analytical supports fusion research with mass spectrometry solutions spanning three principal areas: fusion fuel cycle and vacuum diagnostics, plasma diagnostics with mass and energy analysis, and hydrogen isotope retention and release.
Visitors to the dedicated Hiden Analytical exhibition stand can discuss their specific analytical requirements and explore measurement approaches for fusion research applications.
Mass Spectrometry for Fusion Research
Fusion Fuel Cycle and Vacuum Diagnostics
Understanding gas composition throughout the fusion fuel cycle requires measurements of hydrogen and helium isotopes alongside impurities and the wider residual gas environment.
Hiden mass spectrometry systems support fusion fuel composition analysis, hydrogen and helium isotope measurement, impurity identification and residual gas monitoring, providing analytical tools for fuel, exhaust and vacuum systems.
These capabilities can support researchers investigating fuel purity and composition while also assessing vacuum conditions across demanding fusion environments.
Plasma Diagnostics with Mass and Energy Analysis
Plasma research requires more than measurement of the bulk gas environment. Identifying the species present within a plasma, together with their charge states and energy distributions, can provide insight into the processes governing plasma behaviour.
Hiden systems support mass- and energy-resolved analysis of plasma species, enabling researchers to investigate plasma chemistry, ion-energy distributions, ion-source behaviour and plasma-surface interactions.
Hydrogen Isotope Retention and Release
The interaction between hydrogen isotopes and fusion-relevant materials is another important area of research, particularly for plasma-facing materials, coatings and structural alloys.
Hiden analytical techniques can be used to investigate how hydrogen isotopes are implanted, retained, distributed and released from materials. Depth-resolved surface analysis can examine isotope distributions through a material, while thermal desorption measurements can characterise temperature-dependent isotope release.
Together, these approaches help connect material composition and isotope retention with subsequent release behaviour.
Explore Hiden Analytical’s Fusion Research Solutions
Discover how Hiden mass spectrometry supports measurements across fusion fuel and vacuum systems, plasma diagnostics and hydrogen isotope behaviour in materials.
Explore Fusion Research Solutions →
Visit Hiden Analytical at SOFT 2026
Meet Hugo Baker and Thomas Gaudy at Booth 14 to discuss your fusion research and analytical requirements.
Event Dates: 21–25 September 2026
Location: Aix-en-Provence, France
Hiden Analytical: Booth 14
Event: SOFT 2026 – 34th Symposium on Fusion Technology
We look forward to connecting with the fusion research community in Aix-en-Provence.
