Auburn researchers David Ennis, John Schmitt, and Matt Kriete in front of the entrance to the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (2022)
Auburn University researchers are working to advance the stellarator approach to magnetic fusion energy by investigating plasma physics in Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X), the world’s largest and most advanced optimized stellarator. Faculty, staff, and students work remotely and on-site at W7-X on a variety of projects, including developing advanced diagnostics, investigating plasma edge physics and impurity transport, advancing 3D equilibrium reconstructions, and plasma edge modelling. We collaborate closely with the 3D plasma surface interaction group at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and are a member of the Helmholtz International Lab for Optimized Advanced Divertors in Stellarators (HILOADS).