{"id":4853,"date":"2026-04-28T16:06:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T14:06:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kyburz-sapphire.ch\/kyburz-sapphire-and-its-role-in-the-iter-project\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T16:39:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T14:39:16","slug":"kyburz-sapphire-and-its-role-in-the-iter-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kyburz-sapphire.ch\/en\/kyburz-sapphire-and-its-role-in-the-iter-project\/","title":{"rendered":"KYBURZ SAPPHIRE and its role in the ITER project"},"content":{"rendered":"

High-precision sapphire components from KYBURZ SAPPHIRE \u2013 developed in close collaboration with partners from industry and research \u2013 are being put to use in the international ITER fusion research project in southern France.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the process engineers at KYBURZ SAPPHIRE, pushing the boundaries of physics is part of everyday life when it comes to the processing of ultra-hard materials such as sapphire and technical ceramics. Ideally, optimum tool and process parameters can be defined in the initial prototype phase. In practice, however, reliable results often only emerge after multiple iterations, making it essential to ensure a sound understanding of the process, long-standing experience and precise coordination of tools and machining strategies. This approach creates solutions that excel in even the most demanding conditions and convince us and our customers time and again.<\/p>\n

An international research community is also at work pushing the boundaries of physics, but on a much larger scale, as part of the ITER project. The world\u2019s largest fusion reactor is currently being built in Cadarache in the south of France. The aim of the project is, as of 2034, to demonstrate for the first time that nuclear fusion \u2013 similar to the processes in the sun \u2013 can generate an output of 500 megawatts. This corresponds to the output of around 80 large wind turbines in optimal wind conditions. In contrast to nuclear fission, nuclear fusion produces neither conventional radioactive waste nor emissions that are harmful to the environment, making it a promising addition to the energy system in the long term.<\/p>\n

KYBURZ SAPPHIRE is also involved in this project as part of a long-standing development collaboration with researchers and engineers from INFICON. As part of this process, high-precision sapphire components were developed, tested and optimised in a joint approach. The team at Opcos rounded off the collaboration, taking on the challenge of applying optical coatings to ultra-thin sapphire discs weighing around 1.4 grams each using a specialised PVD process.<\/p>\n

The sapphire components are integrated by INFICON into robust vacuum gauges. These gauges are designed to help ensure the safe operation of the system by providing reliable measurement data from the reactor\u2019s torus-shaped vacuum chamber, even with a high radiation load.<\/p>\n

A visit to the ITER site in Cadarache at the end of March 2026 offered the chance to experience the dimensions of the facility and the future use of the developed components first-hand. This collaboration is a perfect example of how industrial precision and international research can work together to push technological boundaries. We would like to thank everyone involved for their valuable contribution to this groundbreaking project.<\/p>\n

More information about the ITER international fusion project<\/p>\n

read more<\/a><\/div>\n

Unsere Partner:<\/p>\n

INFICON<\/strong>
\nhttps:\/\/www.inficon.com\/de<\/a><\/p>\n

OPCOS<\/strong>
\nhttps:\/\/www.opcos.ch\/index.php\/de\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

High-precision sapphire components from KYBURZ SAPPHIRE \u2013 developed in close collaboration with partners from industry and research \u2013 are being put to use in the international ITER fusion research project in southern France.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":4852,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4853","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nKYBURZ SAPPHIRE and its role in the ITER project - Kyburz Sapphire<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow\" \/>\n<meta name=\"googlebot\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"bingbot\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/kyburz-sapphire.ch\/en\/kyburz-sapphire-and-its-role-in-the-iter-project\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"KYBURZ SAPPHIRE and its role in the ITER project - 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