W7-X Device

Phase 1 of the project mainly relies on Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating (ECRH) where the Gyromotion of the plasma electrons is excited by strong microwave radiation (wavelength 2mm) created by Gyrotron tubes.

The ECRH system is being developed and build by the ‘Project Microwave Heating for Wendelstein 7-X‘ (PMW), which coordinates all engineering and scientific activities in the collaborating laboratories and in industry.

A Wendelstein 7-X prototype gyrotron with 1 MW output power has been developed in collaboration with European research laboratories and industries (FZK, Germany; Thales, France). Successful operation during 30 min pulse at 140 GHz and at a power level of about 800 kW at the load has been shown - it is the world record for this key technology also necessary for ITER.