High-density field-reversed configuration plasma for magnetized target fusion

• Published in: IEEE transactions on plasma science 2006-04, Vol.34 (2), p.223-228
• Main Authors: Shouyin Zhang, Wurden, G.A., Intrator, T.P., Ruden, E.L., Waganaar, W.J., Grabowski, C.T., Renneke, R.M., Degnan, J.H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astron, cusp, and other magnetic traps; Coiling; Coils; Cusps; Density; Deuterium; Exact sciences and technology; Field-reversed configuration; Field-reversed configurations, rotamaks, astrons, ion rings, magnetized target fusion, and cusps; Fusion; fusion reactors; Laboratories; Magnetic confinement; Magnetic confinement and equilibrium; Magnetism; magnetized target fusion; Physics; Physics of gases, plasmas and electric discharges; Physics of plasmas and electric discharges; Plasma; Plasma applications; Plasma confinement; Plasma density; Plasma diagnostics; plasma generation; Plasma lifetime; Plasma measurements; plasma pinch; Plasma temperature; plasmas; Theta pinch
• ISSN: 0093-3813; 1939-9375
• DOI: 10.1109/TPS.2006.872164

Field reversed theta pinch technology is employed with programmed cusp fields at the theta coil ends to form high-density field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasmas. The well-formed FRC plasmas have volume-averaged density of 2-4/spl times/10/sup 22/ m/sup -3/, total temperature (T/sub e/+T/sub i/) of 300-500 eV, and plasma lifetime between 10-20 /spl mu/s in 50-70 mtorr of deuterium static gas fill. The achieved FRC parameters are very close to the desired target plasma requirements for magnetized target fusion.