Formation of a Stable Field Reversed Configuration through Merging

Votroubek, George; Slough, John; Andreason, Samuel; Pihl, Chris

doi:10.1007/s10894-007-9103-4

Cited by 23 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…C-2 has adopted a collision-merging FRC formation scheme [15][16][17] by colliding two high-b CTs at a supersonic speed, each formed by a conventional theta-pinch 10,11 , producing hightemperature FRCs with radius r s B0.35 m, length ' s $ 3 m, density n e B5 Â 10 19 m À 3 , total temperature T t ¼ T i þ T e up to 1 keV, external magnetic field, B e B0.1 T, plasma current…”

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confidence: 99%

Achieving a long-lived high-beta plasma state by energetic beam injection

et al. 2015

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Developing a stable plasma state with high-beta (ratio of plasma to magnetic pressures) is of critical importance for an economic magnetic fusion reactor. At the forefront of this endeavour is the field-reversed configuration. Here we demonstrate the kinetic stabilizing effect of fast ions on a disruptive magneto-hydrodynamic instability, known as a tilt mode, which poses a central obstacle to further field-reversed configuration development, by energetic beam injection. This technique, combined with the synergistic effect of active plasma boundary control, enables a fully stable ultra-high-beta (approaching 100%) plasma with a long lifetime.

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confidence: 99%

Achieving a long-lived high-beta plasma state by energetic beam injection

et al. 2015

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“…Helion Energy is developing an MIF concept for the compression of an FRC plasma using a high field compression coil.. The concept builds upon prior work at UW and at MSNW LLC, and utilizes the dynamic formation of two FRCs, accelerated towards each other and merged in a central chamber [34]- [36]. A high power magnet coil surrounding the central chamber compresses and heats the FRC.…”

Section: Helion Energy -Magnetic Compression Of Field Reversed Configmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In prior experiments, such as the "Grande" experiment at MSNW, the merged and compressed FRCs reached high temperatures and densities. Based upon empirical scaling relationships from the LSX experiments at UW in the 1990's [36], [37], the Helion team has projected that fusion conditions are achievable in a relatively low-cost machine with increased trapped flux in the FRCs, and increased peak B-field from compression [38]. However, these projections from the relatively low density, steady state conditions of LSX must extrapolate to several orders of magnitude higher in ion density, as well as significant increases in other experimental parameters, and there is limited theoretical or simulation-based understanding of the FRC to confidently make those projections.…”

Section: Helion Energy -Magnetic Compression Of Field Reversed Configmentioning

confidence: 99%

Retrospective of the ARPA-E ALPHA Fusion Program

et al. 2019

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This paper provides a retrospective of the ALPHA (Accelerating Low-cost Plasma Heating and Assembly) fusion program of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) of the U.S. Department of Energy. ALPHA's objective was to catalyze research and development efforts to enable substantially lower-cost pathways to economical fusion power. To do this in a targeted, focused program, ALPHA focused on advancing the science and technology of pulsed, intermediate-density fusion approaches, including magneto-inertial fusion and Z-pinch variants, that have the potential to scale to commercially viable fusion power plants. The paper includes a discussion of the origins and framing of the ALPHA program, a summary of project status and outcomes, a description of associated technology-transition activities, and thoughts on a potential follow-on ARPA-E fusion program. Introduction:In 2014 the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched a new research program on low-cost approaches to fusion-energy development [1]. The "Accelerating Low-Cost Plasma Heating and Assembly" (ALPHA) program set out to enable more rapid progress towards fusion energy by establishing a wider range of technological options that could be pursued with smaller, lower-cost experiments, short development and construction times, and high experimental throughput. Mainstream fusion research generally refers to magnetically or inertially confined fusion, both of which require expensive facilities for reasons briefly described below and explored in more detail in several books[2] [3]. ALPHA focused on magneto-inertial fusion (MIF), a class of pulsed fusion approaches with fuel densities in between those of magnetic and inertial fusion[4], [5] [6]. This paper presents a brief background on the origins of the ALPHA program, the results achieved by ALPHA-funded teams, and a look ahead to potential next steps for low-cost fusion development. OriginsARPA-E's mission is to develop transformational new energy technologies [7]. While DOE has pursued fusion energy as a potentially transformational opportunity for decades, ARPA-E had not supported any work in fusion prior to the ALPHA program. This was in part due to a perception that fusion was inherently the realm of "big science" and that ARPA-E, which runs relatively small, targeted, short-term programs across a wide spectrum of energy technologies-did not have a role to play in that development. In launching ALPHA, ARPA-E sought to change this dynamic and bring new players into the field -both in terms of the kinds of teams doing fusion development (e.g., smaller groups and private startups), and in terms of the sources of funding (e.g., private investors). The ALPHA program

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“…In these experiments, spheromak-type plasmas were accelerated in coaxial electrodes to 2500 km/s and stagnated in a conical taper. In compression experiments on the Inductive Plasma Accelerator (IPA) device, two field-reversed configurations (FRCs) were merged and magnetically compressed to kilovolt ion temperature [10,11]. In liner implosion experiments at the Shiva star facility, dense hydrogen plasma was compressed to megabar pressures [12].…”

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confidence: 99%