System and method for generating current by selective electron heating

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:864835

Fisch, Nathaniel J ^[1]; Boozer, Allen H ^[2]

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1. Princeton, NJ
2. Rocky Hill, 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 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.

• Research Organization: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH03073
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4425295
• OSTI ID: 864835
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
generating
current
selective
electron
heating
generation
toroidal
plasma
prepared
magnetic
field
utilizes
injection
high-frequency
waves
means
waveguides
wave
frequency
polarization
chosen
tilted
predetermined
fashion
energy
absorbed
preferentially
electrons
traveling
direction
absorption
manner
produces
electric
injected
substantial
momentum
continuously
maintained
modest
cost
power
confine
operate
efficiently
fusion
grade
tokamak
plasmas
operate efficiently
toroidal direction
toroidal magnet
toroidal current
toroidal magnetic
electric current
magnetic field
wave energy
tokamak plasma
toroidal electric
modest cost
frequency wave
continuously maintained
wave frequency
generating current
selective electron
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