System and method for generating current by selective electron heating
A system for the generation of toroidal current in a plasma which is prepared in a toroidal magnetic field. The system utilizes the injection of high-frequency waves into the plasma by means of waveguides. The wave frequency and polarization are chosen such that when the waveguides are tilted in a predetermined fashion, the wave energy is absorbed preferentially by electrons traveling in one toroidal direction. The absorption of energy in this manner produces a toroidal electric current even when the injected waves themselves do not have substantial toroidal momentum. This current can be continuously maintained at modest cost in power and may be used to confine the plasma. The system can operate efficiently on fusion grade tokamak plasmas.
- Assignee:
- U.S. of America as represented by the U.S. Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4425295
- OSTI ID:
- 6948589
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 9 Feb 1981; Other Information: PAT-APPL-233296
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
PLASMA
ECR HEATING
ENERGY ABSORPTION
TOKAMAK DEVICES
PLASMA PRODUCTION
DESIGN
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRON PLASMA WAVES
ELECTRON SPECTRA
ENERGY ACCOUNTING
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
POLARIZATION
POWER GENERATION
PROCESS CONTROL
STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS
TOROIDAL CONFIGURATION
TRAVELLING WAVES
WAVEGUIDES
ABSORPTION
ACCOUNTING
ANNULAR SPACE
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
CONFIGURATION
CONFINEMENT
CONTROL
CURRENTS
ENERGY ANALYSIS
HEATING
HIGH-FREQUENCY HEATING
PLASMA HEATING
PLASMA WAVES
SPACE
SPECTRA
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
700101* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Confinement
Heating
& Production