Dynamic processes in field-reversed-configuration compact toroids

Conference · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6135951

Rej, D J

In this lecture, the dynamic processes involved in field-reversed configuration (FRC) formation, translation, and compression will be reviewed. Though the FRC is related to the field-reversed mirror concept, the formation method used in most experiments is a variant of the field-reversed THETA-pinch. Formation of the FRC eqilibrium occurs rapidly, usually in less than 20 ..mu..s. The formation sequence consists of several coupled processes: preionization; radial implosion and compression; magnetic field line closure; axial contraction; equilibrium formation. Recent experiments and theory have led to a significantly improved understanding of these processes; however, the experimental method still relies on a somewhat empirical approach which involves the optimization of initial preionization plasma parameters and symmetry. New improvements in FRC formation methods include the use of lower voltages which extrapolate better to larger devices. The axial translation of compact toroid plasmas offers an attractive engineering convenience in a fusion reactor. FRC translation has been demonstrated in several experiments worldwide, and these plasmas are found to be robust, moving at speeds up to the Alfven velocity over distances of up to 16 m, with no degradation in the confinement. Compact toroids are ideal for magnetic compression. Translated FRCs have been compressed and heated by imploding liners. Upcoming experiments will rely on external flux compression to heat a translater FRC at 1-GW power levels. 39 refs.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6135951
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-87-2854; CONF-870908-12; ON: DE87014756
• Resource Relation: Conference: Course and workshop on physics of mirrors, reversed field pinches and compact tori, Varenna, Italy, 1 Sep 1987; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
FIELD-REVERSED THETA PINCH DEVICES
DYNAMICS
MAGNETIC COMPRESSION
ADIABATIC COMPRESSION HEATING
EQUILIBRIUM PLASMA
IONIZATION
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
PLASMA SIMULATION
TIME DEPENDENCE
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
COMPACT TORUS
COMPRESSION
EQUILIBRIUM
HEATING
MECHANICS
PINCH DEVICES
PLASMA
PLASMA HEATING
SIMULATION
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TORI
700101* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Confinement
Heating
& Production