Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)

@plasmaphysik

We are investigating the principles underlying a power plant, which – like the sun – will produce energy from the fusion of light atomic nuclei.

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Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· 7d

We congratulate Dr. Alexander Feichtmayer on successfully completing his doctoral thesis! He recently defended his thesis, ‘Advanced Concepts for the Characterization of Fusion-Relevant Materials’. And, of course, the traditional doctoral cap was a must-have for the defence! #FusionResearch #PhD

A man standing in the garden, wearing a black cloak, a white ruffled collar and a black doctoral hat.

A man wearing a black doctoral hat with miniature figures and small signs.

Text on Dr Alexander Feichtmayer’s doctoral thesis on the development of laboratory experiments for fusion-relevant materials and mechanical material properties.

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· 11d

Congratulations to Dr Markus Wappl on successfully completing his doctoral thesis with the title "Stellarator-reactor confinement studies based on results from Wendelstein 7-X". To honour him, his colleagues made this great doctoral hat with details that reflect his interests. #FusionResearch

A person is standing in a seminar room, smiling, holding a bouquet of flowers. They are wearing a dark suit with a bow tie and an elaborately designed doctoral cap.

A close-up of the creatively designed academic cap. The top features a miniature landscape with moss, a picnic, a small figure, high and low ocean waves, a diagram and a green model of plasma in a stellarator.

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· 15d

A 2-megawatt gyrotron could soon heat plasma at Wendelstein 7-X — with the power of about 2,000 household microwaves. IPP, KIT, the University of Stuttgart and Thales are developing the source, cooling and beam transmission technology. https://www.ipp.mpg.de/hipmib26en

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· 19d

A fusion device can have a digital twin before the real machine even exists. Researchers are developing predictive models that combine physics, experiments, HPC and AI to test scenarios, identify risks and support the design of ITER and future fusion plants. doi.org/10.1088/1741... #fusionenergy

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· 21d

Last week in Greifswald, representatives from digiLab met with scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics to discuss the AI strategy for Wendelstein 7-X, the potential implications of AI for the Institute and the challenges involved in ensuring its safe use in research.

Image with the caption “Workshop Review ‘AI for Fusion and Stellarator Research’”. In the background, a person is giving a talk in a lecture theatre, pointing towards a presentation screen with an outstretched arm. In front of them are a speaker’s podium and a computer screen; the heads of the audience are visible in the foreground, out of focus.

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· 26d

"I MIGHT BE NERDY BUT I AM FASTER THAN YOU." With this humorous slogan on their shirts, 45 colleagues from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics and in total 300 runners from the Max Planck Society recently joined the B2Run in Munich. Thanks to everyone who took part!

Group photo of around 30 participants at a company running event, standing on a sunny lawn in front of dense green trees. The group is wearing matching teal T-shirts, with several participants displaying race bibs, and looking toward the camera. Some are standing while others are kneeling or sitting in the front row. A small black dog wearing a red harness is sitting in the lower right corner. A decorative border featuring white running icons runs along the bottom of the image.

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· 27d

Together, IPP, FRM II and Technische Universität München are investigating material damage at the atomic level to support the development of future fusion power plants. This new project FUMA is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) with 4.8 million euros.

An image with the headline “BMFTR supports ‘FUMA’” and the subtitle “From the atom to the plasma-facing wall: Centre of expertise for the optimisationof FUsion MAterials”. Below this is a group photo in front of a blue sign bearing the inscription “Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Research Neutron Source (FRM II)”. In the top right-hand corner is a small photograph of two specially prepared copper material.
Photos: Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, Laura Richter, FRM II/TUM

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Jul 9

During two training sessions at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching, over 100 physics teachers recently gained an insight into fusion research and found new inspiration for their lessons.

An image showing two group photos. Both groups are standing on the steps in front of a building, looking at the camera. Between the photos is the caption: “Teacher training at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching”.

During two training sessions, the heads of the physics departments at grammar schools in the Munich and Eastern Upper Bavaria ministerial districts gained an insight into fusion research: The programm included presentations by Prof. Dr Ursel Fantz and PD Dr Thomas Pütterich, guided tours to ASDEX Upgrade and the energy centre and a workshop on aenergy simulation game.

Feedback from the participants was positive; some of the teaching materials presented are already being used in the classroom.

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Jul 7

Today is World Chocolate Day, a great opportunity to show the sweet side of plasma physics. Archive photo: IPP / A. Ullmann, 2012 #WorldChocolateDay #Plasmaphysiks #Wendelstein7-x

An image with the caption ‘The sweet side of plasma physics’. It shows numerous stacked bars of chocolate in various flavours. The Wendelstein 7-X stellerator can be seen out of focus in the background.

The "chocolate unit" is a vivid unit to make the thermal energy of plasma easier to grasp.
But how does it actually work?
A 100-gramchocolate bar provides about 520 kcal of energy, which is roughly 2.18 million joules. Dr. Kleiber uses this value as a point of comparison.
Now we look at the plasma. What volume does it have? How many particles does it contain? How hot is it? From these three values, the thermal energy can be calculated and then divided by the "chocolate energy."

The results show that the plasma in Wendelstein 7-X has, at a single moment, a maximum thermal energy equivalent to 8.5 chocolate bars, exactly as many as are stacked in the small tower on the right of the photo.

That may sound like a small amount, but in a future fusion power plant it would already be 95 bars, even more than the large tower on the left shows, since the plasma there will have a bigger volume, a higher particle density, and a higher temperature.

Please note that this refers to the thermal energy of the plasma in a single snapshot, not to the fusion energy that would ultimately be produced.

Here's how to calculate it:

Plasma parameters for a fusion reactor:
Volume V = 1000 m³
Particle density n = 1020 m⁻³
Temperature T = 108 K

The thermal energy content of the plasma is given by this formula
(kB is Boltzmann’s constant):
3/2 x kB × V × n × T = 2.07 × 10⁸ joules

A 100-gram bar of chocolate has a nutritional value of approximately
520 kcal = 2.18 × 10⁶ joules

To convert from joules to bars, divide the energy content of the plasma by
the energy value of a single bar.

The thermal energy of the plasma in a future fusion reactor is therefore equivalent to the calorific value of around 95 bars of chocolate.

Now let us consider the plasma in the Wendelstein 7-X fusion facility.
The following applies there:
Volume V = 30 m³
Particle density n = 3 × 10²⁰ m⁻³
Temperature T < 10⁸ K

It follows that:
energy content < 18.6 × 10⁶ joules

The thermal energy of the plasma in Wendelstein 7-X is therefore equivalent to the calorific value of a maximum of 8.5 bars of chocolate.

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Jun 30

Alan Goodman was also awarded the PhD Research Award by the European Physical Society for his doctoral thesis on ‘Quasi-isodynamic stellarator optimisation’. It focuses on the development of Stable Quasi-Isodynamic Designs, for which he created new mathematical tools. 📷: Ben Peters

An image featuring a turquoise colour gradient and the heading ‘Congratulations!’. In the centre is a portrait of Alan Goodman within a circular frame. Beneath the photograph are his name and the title ‘European Physical Society Plasma Physics Division PhD Research Award’.

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Jun 29

Daniel Fajardo has been awarded the PhD Research Award from the European Physical Society (EPS). He is receiving the award for his doctoral thesis on ‘Theory-based integrated modelling of impurity transport in tokamaks’. Congratulations to Dr Daniel Fajardo! Photo: Elisabeth Jaletzke-Heer

An infographic featuring a turquoise colour gradient and the heading “Congratulations!”. In the centre is a portrait of Daniel Fajardo within a circular frame. Beneath the photograph are his name and the title “European Physical Society Plasma Physics Division PhD Research Award”.

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Jun 27

Plasma in the microwave at Science Day in Greifswald Today many interested visitors found their way to our table in the Institute of Physics at the Universität Greifswald. Our scientists provided information about plasma and plasma physics. The hands-on experiments were particularly popular.

Zwei Mädchen berühren die Plasmakugel, dahinter steht ein Mann der mit ihnen spricht.

Drei Menschen stehen nach vorne gebeugt und schauen in eine Mikrowelle

Mehrere Menschen stehen mit dem Rücken zum Betrachter um Tische herum und unterhalten sich

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Jun 21

We’re at the Science Dayof the Universität Greifswald! Discover exciting experiments, how plasma is created, how we study it at Wendelstein 7-X, and why fusion research matters. 📆 27 June 26 ⏰ 11 am – 4 pm 🗺️ Institute of Physics, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-St. 6, Greifswald

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Jun 18

To learn more about fusion research, Saxony’s Minister President Michael Kretschmer, Members of the Bundestag Georg Günther and Philipp Amthor and Greifswald City Council member Torsten Heil (all CDU), visited. Experiment director Prof. Olaf Grulke gave a tour of the control room at Wendelstein 7-X.

Graphic with the headline: “Today, Saxony’s Minister-President Michael Kretschmer and Members of the German Bundestag visited the IPP.” Below, five people stand in the control room of the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics. Most are wearing suits and are engaged in conversation. Workstations and several monitors displaying technical information can be seen in the background.

Four people stand in the control room of the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics and talk with each other. One person is explaining something while gesturing with a raised finger. The others listen attentively. In the background are large screens displaying measurement data and technical information, as well as additional workstations.

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Jun 16

Four outstanding master’s theses, four IPP awards: Director Tim Happel presented the 2026 IPP Master Thesis Prize to Lucas Räß, Daniela Kropáčková, Simon Krumm and Eduardo Carra. Each award is worth €1,000. Congratulations! #science #physics #fusionenergy

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Jun 15

In preparation for the next operation phase in September, the bake-out of the Wendelstein 7-X plasma vessel begins today. This is done with hot water that flows through thin metal tubes on the outside to ensure a clean vessel and plasma. 📷: Wolfgang Filser, 2003 #Plasmaphysiks #Wendelstein7-X

A picture with the caption “Wendelstein 7-X – things are heating up”. It shows the outer wall of the plasma vessel at the Wendelstein 7-X, featuring thin, coiled pipes. An employee is inspecting the vessel, with a round opening in front of him that is illuminated by a warm orange light.

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Jun 12

Why does this photo have such unusual colours? Find out on 20 & 21 June 2026 at the Open Day of the German Federal Government! Come and visit us between 10 am and 6 pm at the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space in Berlin and learn more about plasma physics and fusion research.

At the top, the words “We are at the Open day of the Federal Government” and “10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Berlin” appear in white on an orange background. Below this, a person can be seen in a colour thermal image in shades of green, yellow, red and purple. They are holding a sheet of paper with the words “20./21. June 2026” written on it up to the camera.

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Jun 11

The 23rd FIFA World Cup starts today! The researchers from our institute featured in this video represent the international teamwork that is essential in both football and in fusion research. We wish all participating teams good luck! #worldcup #worldcup2026

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Jun 1

„Ein Wissenschaftler ist im Labor nicht nur Techniker – er ist auch ein Kind“ – Marie Curie Zum Internationalen Kindertag laden wir zu „Türen auf mit der Maus“ ein: Am 3.10. öffnen wir in Garching die Tore für Jung und Alt. Anmeldung: https://www.wdrmaus.de/tuer_oeffner_tag/2026/index.php5

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· May 28

Our Cryo Group has started to cool down the Wendelstein 7-X cryostat in preparation for the next operation phase (OP2.4) which is due to begin in September.

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· May 20

Until Friday, Regensburg is the hub of fusion research: the marinaforum is hosting the 27th International Conference on Plasma-Surface Interactions in Controlled Fusion Devices. Almost 400 participants from 27 countries and three continents are there.

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· May 18

Due to technical issues, the video accompanying this post could not be posted here. We apologise for this! You can now watch the full video here, on our LinkedIn channel (the link has already been posted here), or on our Instagram channel: www.instagram.com/reel/DYY4MVh...

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· May 12

Congratulations to Prof. Hartmut Zohm, IPP Director in Garching, on receiving the Ernst Mach Honorary Medal from the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague — honouring his lifelong contributions to plasma physics, fusion research and international collaboration. #fusionenergy #physics

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Apr 28

We just can’t get enough of such cool photos! Following a break for maintenance and refurbishment, our ASDEX Upgrade tokamak in Garching was brought back online two weeks ago. The 360-degree photo was taken shortly before the vessel was sealed. Photo: MPI for Plasma Physics, Simon Heckmair

Fisheye view of the interior vacuum vessel of the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak. The walls are lined with numerous metal tiles forming a cylindrical structure, accented by distinctive blue background lighting.

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Apr 7

Congratulations to Tim Happel on his appointment as Professor at the Technical University of Munich. Since 1 April 2026, IPP Director Prof. Dr Tim Happel has held the newly created Chair of Plasma Dynamics at TUM. #fusionenergy #nuclearfusion

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Mar 31

300,000 pulses at GLADIS — and the next step is bigger: a €3.2M upgrade will extend tests from seconds to up to 30 minutes. That matters for SPARC studies, fusion wall components and future steady-state power plants. #fusionenergy #nuclearfusion

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Mar 25

This week at IPP: STEM students curious about fusion get a closer look at the field.

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Mar 13

Die Schließung des Plasmagefäßes nach einer Wartungsphase ist immer ein magischer Moment für das Team. Heute war es wieder soweit. Danke an das fantastische Team! #kernfusion #fusionenergy #nuclearfusion #engineering #science #physics #physik #wissenschaft

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Dec 19

2025 was an exciting year for fusion research again. We wish you a merry christmas and a happy new year! #fusionenergy #nuclearfusion

Vacuum vessel of the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak in a snowstorm

Vacuum vessel of the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator in a snowstorm

Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP)@plasmaphysik· Dec 11

Am 10. 12. hatte unser Wendelstein 7-X Geburtstag. Vor zehn Jahren zündete er sein erstes Plasma. Aus diesem Anlass zeichneten unsere Direktoren Hartmut Zohm und Thomas Klinger eine Sonderfolge für „Urknall, Weltall und das Leben“ auf. youtu.be/5LOTo3yDXN #science #kernfusion #fusionenergy