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Stellarator: An alternative to the Tokamak

Credit: EUROfusion consortium; Photographer: Christopher Roux (CEA-IRFM);

Wendelstein 7-X - the world's largest stellarator

The advanced stellarator Wendelstein 7-X, housed at the IPP Greifswald campus began operations in December 2015. Wendelstein 7-X is an engineering and modelling feat, not only because it is the world’s largest stellarator with a diameter of around 16 metres but also because it is expected to be able to confine the 100-million-degree Celsius plasma discharges for up to 30 minutes. Among other things, EUROfusion researchers are investigating the device to determine the suitability of a stellarator concept for a power plant. Visit the IPP webpage on Wendelstein 7-X to learn more.

Quick facts:

  • Major plasma radius: 5,5 metres
  • Minor plasma radius: 0,53 metre
  • Magnetic field: 3 tesla
  • Pulse length: max. 30 minutes
  • Plasma heating: 14 megawatts
  • Plasma volume: 30 cubic metres
  • Plasma mixture: hydrogen, deuterium
  • Plasma temperature: 60 – 130 million degrees Celsius
A short documentary captures the atmosphere during the operational start of the Wendelstein 7-X fusion device. Click to watch on YouTube; Credit: IPP;