The Wendelstein 7-X stellarator, now being built at the
Greifswald Branch of IPP, will test a magnetic field optimised to overcome
the difficulties of previous stellarator concepts. The quality of plasma
equilibrium and confinement will be comparable to that of a tokamak.
Scetch of the magnetic coils and the plasma of Wendelstein 7-X
The predecessor,
Wendelstein 7-AS (1988 - 2002), the first experiment of the new
generation of "Advanced Stellarators", was putting this concept
for an improved magnetic field to the first test. After start of operation in 2014 the further developed
follow-up device, Wendelstein 7-X, is to demonstrate the reactor relevance of the new stellarators.
The stellarator Wendelstein 7-X during construction (December 2011). The last section of the outer shell was just installed. This completes the base machine.