Elevated electron temperatures coincident with neutron generation in a sheared-flow stabilized Z pinch

Sheared-flow-stabilized Z pinches have been studied extensively for their potential as a net gain nuclear fusion device. Central to the thermonuclear fusion concept is attaining high plasma temperature. We report high electron and ion temperature plasmas coincident with neutron production over sever...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Liekhus-Schmaltz, C., Levitt, B., Goyon, C., Banasek, J.T., Bott-Suzuki, S., Meier, E., Morton, L., Taylor, A., Nelson, B., Shumlak, U.
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
Fusion reactors
Ions
Neutrons
Optical variables measurement
Plasmas
Scattering
Temperature measurement
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Summary:Sheared-flow-stabilized Z pinches have been studied extensively for their potential as a net gain nuclear fusion device. Central to the thermonuclear fusion concept is attaining high plasma temperature. We report high electron and ion temperature plasmas coincident with neutron production over several microseconds in the FuZE device, a Z pinch machine. On axis electron temperatures of 1-3 keV are measured with an optical Thomson scattering apparatus. The 17-fiber system also measures radial profiles of the electron temperature. Scanning the timing of a single-shot laser pulse in a series of discharges allows us to reconstruct the temporal evolution of T_e with respect to neutron generation. Results confirm that the electron temperature simultaneously peaks with neutron output, as well as the pinch current and inductive voltage generated within the plasma. The elevated T_e, which is comparable to ion temperatures, indicates limited radiative losses and demonstrates a continued motivation for scaling this confinement scheme toward fusion reactor conditions.
ISSN:2576-7208
DOI:10.1109/ICOPS45740.2023.10480991