Stellarator Dynamics and Transport

The division investigates the physics of the dynamical phenomena that the plasma of the
optimized Wendelstein 7-X stellarator develops on long and short length and time scales.
Closely related to this are essential transport processes for the particles in the plasma
and the energy, which directly determines the target parameters.

Dynamic phenomena in plasmas are fundamentally spatio-temporal in character, which
requires sophisticated, often even imaging plasma diagnostic instruments. The division
develops and operates these instruments on the stellarator Wendelstein 7-X and performs
the interpretation of the measured data with model-based and statistical analysis methods.

The division is divided into four thematic groups:

Magnetohydrodynamics

The physical properties of the plasma-equilibrium and dynamic
plasma instabilities on large length and time scales are investigated.

Transport, impurities and radiation

The object of investigation here is the
the particle transport, beside the plasma particles mainly impurity particles,
which are responsible for a considerable part of the plasma radiation and thus
play an important role in the energy balance.

Turbulence

Here plasma instabilities on short length and time scales are
investigated which mostly occur as plasma turbulence. Plasma turbulence
determines dominantly the transport of plasma particles and energy.

Engineering and design

This is where technical expertise is bundled and applied in
all scientific groups of the division. The development of scientific instruments ranges
from conception and design to manufacturing, testing and installation at Wendelstein 7-X.