Germany · Magnetic confinement (stellarator)
Wendelstein 7-X
Operated by Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik · First operation 2015
Status: Operational
The largest and most advanced stellarator ever built — proving that twisted magnetic geometry can confine plasma without disruptions.
W7-X uses 50 superconducting modular coils to produce a precisely-shaped 3D magnetic field optimized through decades of computation. Unlike tokamaks, stellarators run in steady state without disruptions, making them attractive for power plants.
Key specifications
- Major radius
- 5.5 m
- Magnetic field
- 3 T
- Plasma volume
- 30 m³
- Pulse goal
- 30 minutes
Milestones
Dec 2015
First plasma
2023
8-minute discharge with 1.3 GJ heating energy
2024
Divertor upgrade enables longer pulses