Classical transport in field reversed mirrors: reactor implications

Conference · Tue Oct 28 00:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:7051029

Auerbach, S P; Condit, W C

Assuming that the field-reversed mirror (or the closely related spheromak) turns out to be stable, the next crucial issue is transport of particles and heat. Of particular concern is the field null on axis (the X-point), which at first glance seems to allow particles to flow out unhindered. We have evaluated the classical diffusion coefficients for particles and heat in field-reversed mirrors, with particular reference to a class of Hill's vortex models. Two fairly surprising results emerge from this study. First, the diffusion-driven flow of particles and heat is finite at the X-points. This may be traced to the geometrical constraint that the current (and hence the ion-electron drag force, which causes cross-field transport) must vanish on axis. This conclusion holds for any transport model. Second, the classical diffusion coefficient D(psi), which governs both particle and heat flux, is finite on the separatrix. Indeed, in a wide class of Hill's vortex equilibria (spherical, oblate, or prolate) D(psi) is essentially independent of psi (except for the usual factor of n(psi), the number density).

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 7051029
• Report Number(s): UCRL-85087; CONF-801215-1; TRN: 81-000691
• Resource Relation: Conference: 3. symposium on the physics and technology of compact toroids in the magnetic fusion energy program, Los Alamos, NM, USA, 2 Dec 1980
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
FIELD-REVERSED MIRROR REACTORS
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
PLASMA
TRANSPORT THEORY
SPHEROMAK DEVICES
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
DIFFUSION
PLASMA DRIFT
PLASMA INSTABILITY
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
CONFINEMENT
INSTABILITY
MAGNETIC MIRROR TYPE REACTORS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
TOKAMAK DEVICES
700101* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Confinement
Heating
& Production