Thales, a leading company in advanced technology worldwide, has taken a major step in the field of nuclear fusion.

In collaboration with scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, Thales has announced that it has achieved a “world record” in the nuclear fusion sphere with its TH1507U gyrotron, a powerful device designed to heat the plasma.

“The Thales TH1507U gyrotron has achieved a significant milestone by reaching a total output power of 1.3 megawatts in radio frequency at a frequency of 140 gigahertz for 360 seconds,” the company highlighted in a press release. This breakthrough occurred at the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator in Germany.

Achieving nuclear fusion on Earth

In recent years, nuclear fusion has emerged as a promising solution to the world’s growing energy needs. It involves merging light atomic nuclei, such as hydrogen, to form a heavier nucleus, such as helium.

This process releases large amounts of energy. To achieve nuclear fusion, scientists must first create one plasmawhich is a superheated state of matter where electrons are removed from atoms.

This plasma must be heated to incredibly high temperatures and confined by a powerful magnetic field.

“The most advanced form of fusion research is that of magnetic confinement of a plasma at several million degrees Celsius – known as ‘magnetic fusion.’ said Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics.

Challenge of creating magnetic fusion devices

Stellarators and tokamaks are the two main types of magnetic confinement devices. Although tokamaks have made significant progress, they require a complex system of currents to maintain the plasma.

“However, this current can destabilize the plasma, which can cause damage to the reactor,” the institute added. “Furthermore, since this power must be turned off periodically, the fusion effect would pause for a short time.”

Stellarators, on the other hand, can operate continuously without power. This inherent stability provides a significant advantage in the long run.

However, star formers still need to demonstrate that they can confine the plasma as effectively as tokamaks in experimental settings.

The Wendelstein 7-Xlocated in Greifswald, Germany, is the world’s largest stellarator. It is a sophisticated device designed to confine and study plasma.

Thales’ gyrotron could change the game

The Wendelstein 7-X uses a complex system of external coils to create a twisted magnetic field that holds the plasma in place. This is where Thales’ latest achievement becomes very significant.

“The Thales gyrotron plays a critical role in the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator project by providing heating and stabilization of the plasma, which is critical to reaching the temperatures required for nuclear fusion with magnetic confinement,” said press release.

Thales is the only European manufacturer of “Gyrotron” electronic tubes.

“These high-power vacuum tubes are used to heat plasma to temperatures ten times higher than the Sun’s core. This equipment is necessary to initiate nuclear fusion reactions through magnetic confinement,” Thales explained.

The latest milestone achieved by the Thales gyrotron is a significant boost for the Wendelstein 7-X project.

“The world record set by our Gyrotron marks a significant milestone in the race for fusion,” concluded Charles-Antoine Goffin, Vice President of Microwave & Imaging Sub-Systems at Thales.