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Results from the RACE (Ring ACceleration Experiment) Compact Torus Acceleration Experiment

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6232033

RACE (Ring ACceleration Experiment) is a proof-of-principle experiment aimed at demonstrating acceleration of magnetically confined compact torus plasma rings to directed kinetic energies well in excess of their magnetic and thermal energies. In the course of the first year of operation the following have been observed: successful formation of rings in the RACE geometry; acceleration of rings with large forces, F/sub accelerate/ approx.F/sub equilibrium/ without apparent degradation of the ring structure; peak velocities of approx. =2.5 x 10/sup 8/ cm/sec; acceleration efficiency of >30% at speeds of 1.5 x 10/sup 8/ cm/sec inferred from trajectory and capacitor bank data; kinetic to magnetic energy ratios approx.10 were observed. Experiments in the near future will be aimed at confirmation of the mass/energy measurements by calorimetry and direct density measurements.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA); Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
6232033
Report Number(s):
UCRL-96828; CONF-870631-4; ON: DE87012176
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English