Generating end plug potentials in tandem mirror plasma confinement by heating thermal particles so as to escape low density end stoppering plasmas
- Danville, CA
The invention provides a method and apparatus for raising the potential of a magnetic mirror cell by pumping charged particles of the opposite sign of the potential desired out of the mirror cell through excitation, with the pumping being done by an externally imposed field at the bounce frequency of the above charged particles. These pumped simple mirror cells then provide end stoppering for a center mirror cell for the tandem mirror plasma confinement apparatus. For the substantially complete pumping case, the end plugs of a tandem mirror can be up to two orders of magnitude lower in density for confining a given center mirror cell plasma than in the case of end plugs without pumping. As a result the decrease in recirculating power required to keep the system going, the technological state of the art required, and the capital cost are all greatly lowered.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4252608
- OSTI ID:
- 863805
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Generating end plug potentials in tandem mirror plasma confinement by heating thermal particles so as to escape low density end stoppering plasmas
Electrostatic end plugging accompanied by a central-cell density increase in an axisymmetric tandem mirror
Related Subjects
plug
potentials
tandem
mirror
plasma
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heating
thermal
particles
escape
density
stoppering
plasmas
provides
method
apparatus
raising
potential
magnetic
cell
pumping
charged
opposite
desired
excitation
externally
imposed
field
bounce
frequency
pumped
simple
cells
provide
center
substantially
complete
plugs
magnitude
confining
result
decrease
recirculating
power
required
technological
capital
cost
greatly
lowered
power required
center mirror
tandem mirror
magnetic mirror
mirror cells
charged particles
charged particle
plasma confinement
substantially complete
mirror plasma
mirror cell
confinement apparatus
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