Thales, a global leader in advanced technology, has marked a major achievement in nuclear fusion technology through its collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics. Utilizing their high-power TH1507U gyrotron device, Thales announced a new record in plasma heating, contributing to the advancement of fusion energy research and positioning their technology at the forefront of the field.
At the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator in Germany, Thales’ TH1507U gyrotron reached an output of 1.3 megawatts in radiofrequency at 140 gigahertz, sustained for 360 seconds. This performance marks a world record for gyrotrons, which play a pivotal role in heating the plasma necessary for nuclear fusion.
Charles-Antoine Goffin, Vice President of Microwave & Imaging Sub-Systems at Thales, highlighted the significance of the record, stating, “The world record set by our Gyrotron marks a significant milestone in the race for fusion.” This achievement reinforces Thales’ position as a key player in nuclear fusion research.
Nuclear fusion has gained significant attention in recent years as a clean energy alternative. Fusion involves merging light atomic nuclei, such as hydrogen, into a heavier nucleus, like helium, releasing substantial energy in the process. However, achieving fusion on Earth requires superheating a plasma to temperatures far beyond those found in the Sun’s core and confining it within a magnetic field.
Magnetic confinement is essential to stabilize plasma in devices like stellarators and tokamaks. According to the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator, the world’s largest, relies on a sophisticated system of external coils that create a twisted magnetic field to contain the plasma. Unlike tokamaks, which rely on currents that can destabilize plasma and necessitate periodic pauses, stellarators offer the advantage of continuous operation.
The TH1507U gyrotron from Thales addresses one of the greatest challenges in nuclear fusion: heating plasma to necessary levels for magnetic confinement. The gyrotron’s advanced design heats the plasma to temperatures ten times greater than the Sun’s core. This extraordinary temperature is crucial for initiating and sustaining fusion reactions within a magnetic confinement setting.
“Thales’s gyrotron plays a crucial role in the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator project by providing heating and stabilization of the plasma, essential for reaching the temperatures required for magnetic confinement nuclear fusion,” explained the company.