Physics of field reversed mirrors
Since the earliest days of fusion research it has been hoped that diamagnetic currents flowing in a plasma could be used to help confine the plasma. Recently this hope has been strengthened both by theoretical advances and by experimental results made possible by technological developments. On the theoretical front analytical treatments and computer simulation studies have demonstrated equilibrium solutions existing both in the fluid limit and in the large-orbit limit. Progress has also been made in determining the conditions required for the stability of field-reversed entities. It appears that configurations of the general form of fat doughnuts, possibly elongated to napkin-ring form, represent stable states. Building on previous experimental work, several investigators have been able to create field-reversed states. One method, based on the ASTRON idea of Christofilos, traps an intense relativistic electron beams (REB) to create a field-reversing current ring. Other approaches use either the reversed field theta pinch technique or REB pulses to create field-reversing diamagnetic currents in a long cylindrical plasma. In the former method, millisecond-long field-reversing electron rings have been achieved; in the latter method field-reversed plasma states lasting 30 to 50 microseconds have been achieved. Another approach under investigation is the Field Reversed Mirror (FRM) created by the tangential injection of high current neutral beams. Plasma states that approach field reversal have been achieved by this technique.
- Research Organization:
- California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6576420
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-81586; CONF-780946-5; TRN: 79-001668
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Driven magnetic fusion reactors, Erice, Italy, 18 Sep 1978
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
FIELD-REVERSED MIRROR REACTORS
REVIEWS
MAGNETIC FIELD REVERSAL
NEUTRAL ATOM BEAM INJECTION
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
PLASMA DIAMAGNETISM
STABILITY
BEAM INJECTION
CONFINEMENT
DIAMAGNETISM
DOCUMENT TYPES
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC MIRROR TYPE REACTORS
MAGNETISM
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
700200* - Fusion Energy- Fusion Power Plant Technology