Hybrid Simulations of FRC Merging and Compression

Belova, E. V.; Clark, S. E.; Milroy, R.; Votroubek, G.; Pancotti, A.; Kirtley, D.

doi:10.1080/15361055.2025.2546290

Hybrid Simulations of FRC Merging and Compression

Journal Article · Tue Oct 07 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Fusion Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15361055.2025.2546290· OSTI ID:2997972

^[1]; Clark, S. E. ^[2]; Milroy, R. ^[2]; Votroubek, G. ^[2]; Pancotti, A. ^[2]; Kirtley, D. ^[2]

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
Helion Energy Inc., Everett, WA (United States)

An improved understanding of field-reversed configuration (FRC) merging and stability in high acceleration and compression magnetic fields is needed to speed up the development of the pulsed fusion concept developed at Helion Energy. All previous theoretical and simulation work on FRC merging and compression was performed using two-dimensional (2D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models. The results of novel 2D hybrid simulations (fluid electrons and full-orbit kinetic ions) of FRC merging and compression are presented. Results of kinetic and MHD simulations, computed using the HYM code, are compared and analyzed. In cases without axial magnetic compression, both the MHD and hybrid simulations show a high sensitivity to the initial parameters (i.e. FRC separation, velocity, normalized separatrix radius, and plasma viscosity), showing that FRCs with large elongation and separatrix radius either do not merge or merge partially, forming a doublet FRC. In conclusion, application of a mirror coil field at the FRC ends with increasing strength is shown to lead to fast and complete merging of the FRCs in MHD and kinetic simulations.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-09CH11466

OSTI ID:: 2997972

Journal Information:: Fusion Science and Technology, Journal Name: Fusion Science and Technology; ISSN 1536-1055; ISSN 1943-7641

Publisher:: Informa UK LimitedCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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References (27)

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