Abstract
Adiabatic compression of a plasma can be accomplished by the implosion of a metal liner driven by an outer magnetic field. An inner magnetic field insulates the plasma from the metal. Analytic and computer studies have been done in cylindrical geometry for a copper liner. The minimum input energy per pulse Emin is found as a function of final plasma density, volume fill factor, liner compressibility, liner thickness, and the desired value of fusion energy multiplication α. We find that at optimum deuterium-tritium reaction temperatures (10–20 keV) Emin ∝ α 3/nf, where of is the final plasma density. For given values of Emin and nf, one can then determine the requirements for the outer magnetic field power supply that drives the liner implosion. Two possible cases are considered: an axial (Bz) magnetic field with azimuthal eddy current in the liner and an azimuthal (B θ ) magnetic field. The latter is shown to be inherently more efficient for transferring energy from the outer magnetic field to the liner. Finally, certain practical problems of liner formation and replacement in a fusion reactor vessel are briefly discussed.
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Shearer, J.W., Condit, W.C. (1976). Magnetically Driven Metal Liners for Plasma Compression. In: Bostick, W.H., Nardi, V., Zucker, O.S.F. (eds) Energy Storage, Compression, and Switching. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-2214-6_12
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-2214-6_12
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