Magnetized Plasma Target for Plasma-Jet-Driven Magneto-Inertial Fusion

Hsu, Scott C.; Langendorf, Samuel J.

doi:10.1007/s10894-018-0168-z

Title: Magnetized Plasma Target for Plasma-Jet-Driven Magneto-Inertial Fusion

Journal Article · Mon Jun 18 00:00:00 EDT 2018 · Journal of Fusion Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10894-018-0168-z· OSTI ID:1459813

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Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Here, we identify the desired characteristics and parameters of a β>1 magnetized plasma, possibly with highly tangled, open field lines, that could be a suitable target to be compressed to fusion conditions by a spherically imploding plasma liner (Hsu et al. in IEEE Trans Plasma Sci 40:1287, 2012) formed by merging hypersonic plasma jets. This concept is known as plasma-jet-driven magneto-inertial fusion (PJMIF). We set requirements on the target and liner such that (a) compressional heating dominates over thermal transport in the target, and (b) magnetic amplification due to compression dominates over dissipation over the entire implosion. We also evaluate the requirements to avoid drift-instability-induced anomalous transport and current-driven anomalous resistivity in the target. Next, we describe possible approaches to create such a magnetized, β>1 plasma target. Finally, assuming such a target can be created, we evaluate the feasibility of a proof-of-concept experiment using presently achievable plasma jets to demonstrate target compressional heating at a plasma-liner kinetic energy of ≲100kJ (a few hundred times below that needed in a PJMIF reactor).

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Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC52-06NA25396

OSTI ID:: 1459813

Report Number(s):: LA-UR-18-21935; TRN: US1901804

Journal Information:: Journal of Fusion Energy, Vol. 38; ISSN 0164-0313

Publisher:: SpringerCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 10 works

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