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Title: Apparatus for magnetic and electrostatic confinement of plasma

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1175974
;

An apparatus and method for containing plasma and forming a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology are described in which plasma ions are contained magnetically in stable, non-adiabatic orbits in the FRC. Further, the electrons are contained electrostatically in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. The simultaneous electrostatic confinement of electrons and magnetic confinement of ions avoids anomalous transport and facilitates classical containment of both electrons and ions. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused together by nuclear force, thus releasing fusion energy. Moreover, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement system and method are not limited to neutronic fuels only, but also advantageously include advanced fuels.

Research Organization:
Univ. of California, Oakland, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of California (Oakland, CA)
Patent Number(s):
7,129,656
Application Number:
11/173,204
OSTI ID:
1175974
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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