Apparatus for magnetic and electrostatic confinement of plasma
Abstract
An apparatus and method for containing plasma and forming a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology are described in which plasma ions are contained magnetically in stable, non-adiabatic orbits in the FRC. Further, the electrons are contained electrostatically in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. The simultaneous electrostatic confinement of electrons and magnetic confinement of ions avoids anomalous transport and facilitates classical containment of both electrons and ions. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions ions are fused together by nuclear force, thus releasing fusion energy. Moreover, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement system and method are not limited to neutronic fuels only, but also advantageously include advanced fuels.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- University of California (Oakland, CA)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1084213
- Patent Number(s):
- 8461762
- Application Number:
- 12/511,266
- Assignee:
- The Regents of The University of California (Oakland, CA)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21B - FUSION REACTORS
G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21D - NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 42 ENGINEERING; 70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
Citation Formats
Rostoker, Norman, and Binderbauer, Michl. Apparatus for magnetic and electrostatic confinement of plasma. United States: N. p., 2013.
Web.
Rostoker, Norman, & Binderbauer, Michl. Apparatus for magnetic and electrostatic confinement of plasma. United States.
Rostoker, Norman, and Binderbauer, Michl. Tue .
"Apparatus for magnetic and electrostatic confinement of plasma". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1084213.
@article{osti_1084213,
title = {Apparatus for magnetic and electrostatic confinement of plasma},
author = {Rostoker, Norman and Binderbauer, Michl},
abstractNote = {An apparatus and method for containing plasma and forming a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology are described in which plasma ions are contained magnetically in stable, non-adiabatic orbits in the FRC. Further, the electrons are contained electrostatically in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. The simultaneous electrostatic confinement of electrons and magnetic confinement of ions avoids anomalous transport and facilitates classical containment of both electrons and ions. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions ions are fused together by nuclear force, thus releasing fusion energy. Moreover, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement system and method are not limited to neutronic fuels only, but also advantageously include advanced fuels.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jun 11 00:00:00 EDT 2013},
month = {Tue Jun 11 00:00:00 EDT 2013}
}
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