Abstract
A fusion concept is proposed in which plug mirror cells are applied at the ends of a field-reversed configuration (FRC) to improve overall confinement by reducing the end-loss rate in the scrape-off layer. As such this combines a closed “toroidal” system with an open “mirror” system. Arguments are presented that the plug cells would produce a dramatic increase in confinement of the FRC itself, as well as being significantly better than a stand-alone mirror system. This approach is based on more-or-less existing technology and does not require pulsed, high-density operation.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
J.K. Wright, N.J. Phillips, J Nucl Energy, Part C: Plasma Phys. 1, 240 (1960)
T.S. Green, Phys. Rev. Lett. 5, 297 (1960)
A.G. Es’kov et al., Plasma physics and controlled nuclear fusion research, vol. II (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1978), p. 187
FRC-end mirror combinations have been proposed elsewhere for other purposes: to act as a divertor [S.A. Cohen, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 145002 (2007)]; and to reduce central-cell end flow in a tandem mirror propulsion system [T. Kammash and K. Flippo, in Space Technology and Applications International Forum-1999, American Institute of Physics, 1-56396-846-0/99, p. 1339]
L.C. Steinhauer, T.P. Intrator, Phys. Plasmas 16, 072501 (2009)
L.C. Steinhauer, A. Ishida, Phys. Fluids B 2, 2422 (1990)
N. Iwasawa, A. Ishida, L.C. Steinhauer, Phys. Plasmas 7, 931 (2000)
E.V. Belova, R.C. Davidson, H. Ji, M. Yamada, Phys. Plasmas 10, 2361 (2003)
L.C. Steinhauer, Phys. Fluids B 4, 4012 (1992)
L.C. Steinhauer, D.C. Barnes, Phys. Plasmas 16, 092505 (2009)
H.U. Fahrbach et al., Nucl. Fusion 21, 257 (1981)
A.L. Hoffman, J.T. Slough, Nucl. Fusion 33, 27 (1993)
G.I. Dimov, V.V. Zakaidakov, M.E. Kishinevsky, Sov. J. Plasma Phys. 2, 326 (1976)
D.E. Baldwin, B.G. Logan, Phys. Rev. Lett. 43, 1318 (1979)
T.D. Rognlien, T.A. Cutler, Nucl. Fusion 20, 1003 (1980)
V.V. Mirnov, D.D. Ryutov, Sov. Tech. Phys. Lett. 5, 279 (179)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Steinhauer, L.C., Santarius, J.F. Challenge End-Plugged FRC Concept. J Fusion Energ 29, 577–579 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10894-010-9318-7
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10894-010-9318-7