Wendelstein-7X (W7-X) is a large superconducting stellarator nearly complete, and ready to begin operation at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Greifswald, Germany. First plasmas are expected in August 2015.
W7-X test cell in May 2014. Looking down from the 3rd floor viewing deck.
LANL's initial hardware contributions are in the form of high resolution infrared and visible camera systems, which should be up and running for the first operating period. A large (213 mm diameter) sapphire window has been mounted on the AEA30 port, and shielded cameras will view one of five poloidal graphite limiters through that port.
A view of the LANL IR camera system, mounted on the W7-X decking, viewing in the AEA 30 port.CAD drawing on the left, and a photos of the real equipment, top and side view, installed. (May 2015).
Los Alamos (Oct. 1, 2010) partnered with the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, to begin an official collaboration with our German colleagues on the W7-X experiment. The initial collaboration has started in the Innovative Confinement Concepts program of the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, and is now in International Programs, under Long Pulse physics. It is funded at a level of $2.49M/year. The collaboration has delivered magnetic trim coils, IR/visible camera systems, and an X-ray spectrometer system. Our collaboration focuses on plasma control and edge plasma issues. ORNL and PPPL are building a divertor scraper element, which will go on in the second operation period. The first operational period, called OP1.1 will be for 2-3 months, starting in August 2015.
"The Set of Diagnostics for the First Operation of the Wendelstein 7-X Stellarator", Ralf Koenig, et. al, LA-UR-15-22122, presented at the 1st European Phsyical Society Conference on Plasma Diagnostics, Rome, Italy, April 14-17, 2015.
A visit to the Max Planck Inst. for Plasma Physics at Greifswald, in photos: May 23, 2011, and May 27, 2011
APS-DPP meeting, Nov. 15, 2011, Salt Lake City, US Collaboration on the W7-X Stellarator, poster LA-UR-11-11959.
ICC Workshop 2011 Proceedings, Seattle, Washington:
US Collaboration on the W7-X Stellarator, G. A. Wurden, et al., accompanying paper
US Collaboration on the W7-X Stellarator, G. A. Wurden, invited talk LA-UR-11-11243
ReNEW Workshop 2009, Advancing Stellarator Knowledge through International Collaboration, Hutch Neilson & Jeff Harris
Last updated: 05/27/15
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