Physics Programme for Initial Operation of Wendelstein 7‐X

Abstract

It is the mission of the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) stellarator to demonstrate the reactor potential of the optimized stellarator line. Therefore W7-X has to demonstrate high-power, steady-state operation. After completion of its construction and commissioning of the device, a first operational phase is planned to investigate basic stellarator properties and to prepare later steady-state operation of Wendelstein 7-X. The physics programme for this initial operation period has been developed recently to comply with the physics goals of W7-X and will be discussed in this paper.

Transition From Construction to Operation Phase of the Wendelstein 7-X Stellarator

“…After completion of the systems (upgrade of heating and diagnostics and installation of the High Heat Flux divertor) the second operation phase (OP 2) will start. The physics and technological issues of steady-state fusion device operation will be addressed in OP 2 [3].…”

Configuration Space Control Using the Example of In-Vessel Components for Wendelstein 7-X

“…During the design and construction phase, when the production of a variety of components had already started, an additional intermediate operational phase of the machine was introduced [3]. The technical requirements for the components used during this phase, which should last for about two years, are less challenging than the In-Vessel Components (IVCs) used for steady-state operation.…”

Current status of the neutral beam heating system of W7-X

“…This paper will be an introduction to the work ongoing at the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator [1][2][3] to construct a neutral beam heating (NBH) system [4]. The NBH system for W7-X is similar to the system currently operational on the ASDEX Upgrade Tokamak (AUG) [5].…”