Components

How will we measure changes in the ITER magnetic field?

Inside the ITER Vacuum Vessel, there will be many diagnostic systems that will act as the eyes and ears of the engineers. These systems will keep scientists informed on the composition, temperature and other characteristics of the plasma. The so-called LTCC sensor coils will be in charge of measuring the changes in the magnetic field, a relevant parameter to control the conditions of the experiment.

The last batch of these sensors has just been manufactured by F4E’s contractor VIA electronic. After the delivery of the first batch in July 2020, and the second in December 2020, the third and final batch, containing 140 sensors, was sent in April 2021 to Sgenia. There, engineers are assembling the sensors into the platforms that support and cover them. Once assembled, they will deliver them to Elytt Energy for calibration and finally to ITER Organization.

A couple of LTCC assembled coils in VIA electronic, Germany.

The series production of the sensors started in January 2020. In a nutshell, engineers take sheets of a ceramic polymer material on which they print thin silver paste tracks. They stack all the sheets to form a 36-layer object. Then, they bake the set at around 850 °C to make it compact and, last but not least, they weld the connection wires to complete the Low Temperature Cofired Ceramic (LTCC) coil.

“It was challenging to deliver a high number of sensors pushing the manufacturing technology to the limits in terms of complexity and tight tolerances. But in the end VIA electronic rose to the challenge and delivered a good product that we will be using for many years of ITER operation,” concludes Ulrich Walach, F4E Technical Responsible Officer for this project.

press@f4e.europa.eu

Recent Posts

Is Europe ready to lead the fusion energy race?

F4E Roundtable brings together policy makers, industry, SMEs, start-ups, and laboratories to shape tomorrow’s strategy.

6 days ago

European systems ready to power Japanese gyrotrons in JT-60SA

Integrated tests by F4E, QST, JEMA Energy achieved 1 MW of radio frequency power.

1 week ago

The F4E Fusion Observatory presents a report on private sector investment

Europe behind US in start-up market but leads in funding for the ITER supply chain.

2 weeks ago

The ITER Fast Discharge building is completed

F4E and European constructors also hand over the busbar bridges.

3 weeks ago

The foundations of IFMIF-DONES facility are laid

Japan joins the partnership as multilateral agreement progresses.

4 weeks ago

F4E and Air Liquide get ITER’s Cryoplant ready

Commissioning of European systems advancing after successful mechanical tests.

1 month ago