Divisions

Stellarator Optimisation



Head: Prof. Dr. Robert Wolf
Emeritus: Prof. Dr. Friedrich Wagner

The experimental division Stellarator-Optimisation at IPP Greifswald, investigates the capability of the Stellarator concept for a Fusion reactor in close collaboration with the Stellarator Scenario Development - and the Stellarator Theory Divison. Guideline is the concept of Stellarator optimisation developed at IPP.

During the preparation phase of the fully optimised Stellarator Wendelstein 7-X, under construction in Greifswald, a major part of the division staff has been directly attributed to the division Wendelstein 7-X  where Prof. R. Wolf is the head of the subdivision Wendelstein 7-X Physics. This subdivision develops and provides plasma heating, diagnostics as well as control and data aquisition systems and prepares plasma operation by predictive physics studies.

In preparation of Wendelstein 7-X concluding evaluation of results from the predecessor Wendelstein 7-AS is performed, which has been operated in Garching until July 2002. Wendelstein 7-AS was the first “partially optimised“ stellarator, where some of the basic optimisation criteria could be successfully demonstrated. The results are compared with those from other Stellarators and summarised in the frame of the International Stellarator/Heliotron Physics Data Base (ISHPDB).

For prototype tests as well as training purposes the small conventional stellarator WEGA is operated in the Greifswald institute. A number of graduate students, PhD students and Postdocs are working there as well as undergraduate practice work is performed. The department is involved in the PhD program of the International Max-Planck Research School "Bounded Plasmas" as well as in the European Fusion Training Schemes set up in view of ITER.