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Title: Throttle coil operation of TMX-U

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6361379· OSTI ID:6361379

A tandem-mirror configuration with an axisymmetric central cell, similar to the geometry of MARS (Mirror Advanced Reactor Study) or the Kelley-TDF mode of MFTB-B, can be generated by inserting a 6-tesla, throttle coil in each end of the TMX-U central cell. The throttle coil geometry of TMX-U will test the physics issues associated with axisymmetric tandem-mirror reactors, such issues as: (1) increased radial confinement time for central-cell ions confined by axisymmetric mirror cells and electrostatic potentials; (2) theoretical limits set by the trapped particle instability for the required passing density between the central cell and the end-cell anchor; and (3) pumping of trapped particles within the thermal barrier and transition regions with methods other than neutral beams. The central-cell plasma parameters for the throttle coil geometry are evaluated for two operating points. The first requires heating hardware (neutral beams and ECRH) and vacuum performance at the TMX-U proposal level, yielding plasma parameters, central-cell betas, and plasma confinement exceeding those of the original TMX-U proposal. The second operating point, requiring approximately half the ECRH end-cell performance of the first, is predicted to equal the beta and to exceed the plasma pressure and confinement time of the central cell in the standard TMX-U geometry.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
6361379
Report Number(s):
UCID-19650; ON: DE83009801
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English