Nuclear fusion of the future: how the ITER project works

How do you monitor vacuum systems in a fusion reactor? The international energy project ITER poses extreme challenges for measurement technology. STS provides a custom sensor solution that performs reliably even under strong magnetic fields, radiation, and high temperatures.

Custom Sensor Technology for the Energy of the Future – STS in the ITER Fusion Project

ITER – Latin for “the way” – is one of the most ambitious energy projects of our time. In southern France, the world’s largest tokamak is currently being built – a magnetic fusion facility designed to prove that nuclear fusion can become a large-scale, CO₂-free source of energy. The vision: harnessing energy like the sun – clean, safe, and nearly unlimited.

35 nations – one common goal

China, the EU, India, Japan, Korea, Russia, and the USA have been working together on ITER for more than 30 years. The focus: developing a fusion facility that paves the way for commercial fusion power plants.

• Net energy gain: ITER aims to produce 500 MW of fusion power from 50 MW of input heating (Q=10) – a milestone.
• Self-sustaining plasma: The plasma is to be maintained through its own fusion heat.
• Tritium breeding: Special modules (“breeding blankets”) will demonstrate how fuel can be generated directly in the reactor.

The challenge: pressure measurement under extreme conditions

At the heart of ITER lies the tokamak – a large vacuum chamber where plasma is heated to over 150 million °C. To ensure functionality and safety, the vacuum systems must be monitored continuously – under conditions that push the limits of technology:

• Extreme magnetic fields
• High ambient temperatures
• Proton and gamma radiation
• High vacuum conditions

Our solution: a specialized pressure sensor from STS

Standard solutions are not an option. In close cooperation with the on-site teams, we at STS developed a customized pressure sensor solution tailored precisely to the ITER reactor environment:

• Radiation-resistant materials
• Metallic sealing instead of elastomers
• High temperature tolerance
• Electronics adapted to magnetic influences

The sensor is part of a critical monitoring system ensuring vacuum integrity – a vital contribution to the reactor’s safe operation.