Design improvements, assembly and testing of the ICRH antenna for W7-X

The newly developed ICRH antenna system for the stellarator W7-X will be available for Operational Phase 2.1. The design and application of various components in the ICRH system was validated using a prototype of the antenna box with straps. Electromagnetic characteristics were measured and optimized while reconsidering thermal and mechanical aspects. As a result, several components were improved and introduced to the final antenna design. The layout of a new matching system allows operation of the antenna at 25 MHz and 37.5 MHz without the use of additional line stretchers. The refurbished two radio frequency (RF) generators formerly used at TEXTOR comply with new EU safety standards.