Subscribe options

Select your newsletters:

Please enter your email address:

@

Your email address will only be used for the purpose of sending you the ITER Organization publication(s) that you have requested. ITER Organization will not transfer your email address or other personal data to any other party or use it for commercial purposes.

If you change your mind, you can easily unsubscribe by clicking the unsubscribe option at the bottom of an email you've received from ITER Organization.

For more information, see our Privacy policy.

News & Media

Latest ITER Newsline

  • On site | 28 who "truly shined"

    The new ITER Star Awards recognize exemplary performance and commitment. Every year, during the annual assessment campaign, ITER staff may be recognized for exe [...]

    Read more

  • MT-28 Conference | Superconducting magnets as a catalyst

    Many passers-by paused for a moment and picked up their cell phones to capture the scene. It was indeed rare to see dancers on the square outside of the Pavillo [...]

    Read more

  • Fusion world | TCV tokamak turns 30

    The Swiss TCV tokamak (for Tokamak à Configuration Variable, or 'variable configuration' tokamak) has been exploring the physics of nuclear fusion for 30 years [...]

    Read more

  • Image of the week | Port cell with a view

    A visit to ITER would not be complete without a peek into the Tokamak pit where the machine is being progressively assembled. For several years, one of the equa [...]

    Read more

  • Visit | Chinese Minister reaffirms "full support"

    ITER Director-General Pietro Barabaschi and the Chinese Minister of Science and Technology (MOST) Wang Zhigang share a common academic background. They both tra [...]

    Read more

Of Interest

See archived entries

Chinese technology will contribute to heating ASDEX-U

Building the ASDEX Upgrade ICRF antennas was a ''good exercise'' for ASIPP according to IPP's Helmut Fuenfgelder, opening the door for the institute to contribute to other devices such as WEST (France). (Click to view larger version...)
Building the ASDEX Upgrade ICRF antennas was a ''good exercise'' for ASIPP according to IPP's Helmut Fuenfgelder, opening the door for the institute to contribute to other devices such as WEST (France).
At the Chinese Institute of Plasma Physics ASIPP, a second ICRF heating antenna is packed and ready to be delivered to the ASDEX Upgrade Tokamak in Germany after passing the necessary factory acceptance tests late February.

Two new ICRF antennas (for ion cyclotron range of frequencies) designed to couple 2MW at a frequency between 30 and 60 MHz are being built in an international cooperation between the Max Planck Institute of Plasma Physics (IPP, Germany), ASIPP (China) and ENEA (Italy). ENEA is building the plasma-facing components of the antenna and a powerful diagnostic to measure the plasma density in front of it, while ASIPP is building all other components of the antennas.

According to Yang Qingxi, a 35-year-old Responsible Official from ASIPP, the manufacture of the two ICRF antennas was "arduous and tortuous" due to their complicated structure, demanding technical specifications, sophisticated engineering techniques and a tight schedule.

The ASIPP components of the first antenna, delivered to IPP in June, 2013, have already been complemented with some of the diagnostics parts from ENEA and are being test mounted in a full scale model of ASDEX Upgrade.

The components of the second ICRF antenna were examined and accepted by a three-member team from the Max Planck Institute of Plasma Physics (IPP) headed by Helmut Fuenfgelder during a visit at ASIPP from February 25 to 27. Helmut Fuenfgelder expressed his satisfaction with the quality of the second antenna to the ASIPP team led by Song Yuntao. "The first antenna was very good, and this one is even better."

A three-member team from IPP headed by Helmut Fuenfgelder (sixth from right), visited China late February to examine and accept the second antenna. (Click to view larger version...)
A three-member team from IPP headed by Helmut Fuenfgelder (sixth from right), visited China late February to examine and accept the second antenna.
The challenging task was successfully brought to conclusion through strong teamwork within the High Power Microwave Technology and Tokamak Design divisions, the ASIPP workshop and also through a large number of R&D tests on welding techniques and a special curve-shaped surface forming process.

Dozens of video discussions took place throughout the development process with IPP colleagues. The second antenna will arrive at its new home in Garching in a couple of weeks. After completion with ENEA components, both antennas will be installed in the ASDEX Upgrade in the next opening foreseen this year.


return to the latest published articles