The stable plasma toroid model proposes that ball lightning is a self-sustaining ring of plasma (ionized gas) confined by its own magnetic field — essentially a miniature version of the plasma containment systems used in fusion reactor research. In this model, a lightning strike creates a rotating ring of charged particles that generates a magnetic field. This magnetic field, in turn, confines the plasma, preventing it from dispersing — a process known as magnetic self-confinement.
The result is a stable, luminous, roughly spherical object that can persist for seconds to minutes as the plasma slowly cools and the confinement weakens. The toroid model is physically elegant and draws on well-established plasma physics, but it faces significant challenges. The plasma densities and temperatures required for stable self-confinement are typically much higher than those achievable in atmospheric conditions. Additionally, the model predicts that ball lightning should emit significant amounts of electromagnetic radiation (radio waves, microwaves), which has not been consistently detected in the few scientific observations of the phenomenon.