System and method for generating current by selective minority species heating

Patent · 01 January 1983

OSTI ID:864819

Fisch, Nathaniel J ^[1]

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1. Princeton, NJ

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 low-frequency waves into the plasma by means of phased antenna arrays or phased waveguide arrays. The plasma is prepared with a minority ion species of different charge state and different gyrofrequency from the majority ion species. The wave frequency and wave phasing are chosen such that the wave energy is absorbed preferentially by minority species ions 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.

• Research Organization: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH03073
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4423001
• OSTI ID: 864819
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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