In its entirety the ion ray measures 230 x 500 mm and consist of 774 singular rays. Because of its geometry and the highest precision drilling of the extraction bores the rays get focused unto one mutual point 6,5 meters away.

To get through the torus’ magnetic field, the plasma ray has to pass through a neutralizer consisting of neutral gas (H²) where it picks up its fast electrons.
This newly formed “neutral beam” can enter the very depths of the torus’ plasma and release its energy there.
Acceleration grids of this kind are being used in fusion experiments by Asdex Upgrade (IPP-Garching), TEXTOR (Research Institute Julich) and W7X (IPP-Garching/-Greifswald).

Since a lot of protons hit the copper surfaces those need to be cooled intensely.

Operating Data
– Ion beam energy output: 55 keV with an ion flow of 85 A comes down to a beam performance of about 4,5 MW (hydrogen-powered)
– power dissipation (which needs to be cooled) on plasma grid: 250 KW
– Water operating pressure: 16 bar

A leakage rate of better than 10-8 mbar xl/s at a pressure of 16 bar (He) inside the cooling structure is another requirement. And despite such high demands GT has already crafted more than 300 grid halves without noteworthy difficulties.
On top of that we worked on a prototype with IPP Garching to create a grid that accelerates “negative ions”. Those have additional cooling and magnetic channels, as well as electron traps, crafted into them.