FRX-L: A field-reversed configuration plasma injector for magnetized target fusion

Taccetti, J. M.; Intrator, T.; Wurden, G. A.; Zhang, S. Y.; Aragonez, Robert J.; Assmus, P. N.; Bass, C.; Carey, Christopher; Devries, S.; Fienup, William; Furno, I.; Hsu, S. C.; Kozar, M. P.; Langner, M. C.; Liang, J.; Maqueda, R. J.; Martinez, Rodolfo A.; Sanchez, P.G.; Schoenberg, Kurt F.; Scott, K. J.; Siemon, R. E.; Tejero, Erik; Trask, E.; Tuszewski, M.; Waganaar, W. J.; Grabowski, C.; Ruden, E.L.; Degnan, J.H.; Cavazos, T.; Gale, D.; Sommars, W.

doi:10.1063/1.1606534

Cited by 69 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…11,12,10,13 Contrary to what present theory for pulsed plasma predicts, ionization is reported to form when the bias field has been approximately nullified (see Figure 2) by the first ring of the pre-ionization field when dB/dt approaches zero (i.e., when electric field is at its weakest). 10 This leads to an initial plasma formation with little to no trapped magnetic flux and this result is thought to reduce FRC lifetime.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 44%

Preliminary findings from efforts to model pulsed inductive theta-pinch plasmas via Particle-In-Cell

Meeks

Rovey

2012

50th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition

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A method is pursued to approximately model the electron energy distribution of pulsed inductive plasma devices with Particle-In-Cell code to elucidate formation physics during early times (t < 1 μs). Specifically, reported results from AFRL-Kirtland's pulsed inductive device, FRCHX, are used as a test case to validate results. An r-z slab approximation is outlined and gyro-frequency, Larmor radius, and E×B guiding center drift are verified against theory to within 1% difference. The analyses presented, using both single electron and Particle-In-Cell modeling, agree with FRCHX reported results by showing that average electron kinetic energy does not exceed the ionization threshold of 15.47 eV for gaseous deuterium until after the first ¼ cycle of the ringing pre-ionization stage (when net magnetic field is approximately nullified). These results provide supportive evidence for the concept that bias field actually inhibits ionization if improperly implemented.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 44%

Preliminary findings from efforts to model pulsed inductive theta-pinch plasmas via Particle-In-Cell

Meeks

Rovey

2012

50th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition

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“…In the last 10 years, there have been substantial advances and growing interest in MIF research and concepts. A team led by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has been investigating solid liner compression of magnetically confined field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasmas to achieve kilovolt temperatures [5][6][7]. The University of Rochester has introduced seed magnetic fields into the center of targets at the OMEGA laser facility, and compressed those fields by imploding a liner with the OMEGA laser.…”

Section: Statusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Magneto-Inertial Fusion

et al. 2015

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In this community white paper, we describe an approach to achieving fusion which employs a hybrid of elements from the traditional magnetic and inertial fusion concepts, called magneto-inertial fusion (MIF). The status of MIF research in North America at multiple institutions is summarized including recent progress, research opportunities, and future plans.Keywords Magneto-inertial fusion Á Magnetized target fusion Á Liner Á Plasma jets Á Fusion energy Á MagLIF DescriptionMagneto-inertial fusion (MIF) (aka magnetized target fusion) [1][2][3] is an approach to fusion that combines the compressional heating of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) with the magnetically reduced thermal transport and magnetically enhanced alpha heating of magnetic confinement fusion (MCF). From an MCF perspective, the higher density, shorter confinement times, and compressional heating as the dominant heating mechanism reduce the impact of instabilities. From an ICF perspective, the primary benefits are potentially orders of magnitude reduction in the difficult to achieve qr parameter (areal density), and potentially significant reduction in velocity requirements and hydrodynamic instabilities for compression drivers. In fact, ignition becomes theoretically possible from qr B 0.01 g/cm 2 up to conventional ICF values of qr * 1.0 g/cm 2 , and as in MCF, Br rather than qr becomes the key figure-of-merit for ignition because of the enhanced alpha deposition [4]. Within the lower-qr parameter space, MIF exploits lower required implosion velocities (2-100 km/s, compared to the ICF minimum of 350-400 km/s) allowing the use of much more efficient (g C 0.3) pulsed power drivers, while at the highest (i.e., ICF) end of the qr range, both higher gain G at a given implosion velocity as well as lower implosion velocity and reduced hydrodynamic instabilities are theoretically possible. To avoid confusion, it must be emphasized that the wellknown conventional ICF burn fraction formula does not apply for the lower-qr ''liner-driven'' MIF schemes, since it is the much larger mass and qr of the liner (and not that of the burning fuel) that determines the ''dwell time'' and fuel burnup fraction. In all cases, MIF approaches seek to satisfy/ exceed the inertial fusion energy (IFE) figure-of-merit gG * 7-10 required in an economical plant with reasonable recirculating power fraction. A great advantage of MIF is indeed its extremely wide parameter space which allows it greater versatility in overcoming difficulties in implementation or technology, as evidenced by the four diverse approaches and associated implosion velocities shown in Fig. 1.MIF approaches occupy an attractive region in thermonuclear q-T parameter space, as shown in a paper by

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“…[11][12][13][14] The goal of these investigations was compression and heating of the FRC to achieve D-T or D-He 3 fusion reactions. To achieve fusion temperatures during FRC creation, the plasma was non-adiabatically heated and large densities and temperatures created (e.g., ion temperature T i = 50-1000 eV, electron temperature T e = 50-250 eV, and average density n = 10 15 cm -3 ).…”

Section: B State Of the Art Of Frc Propulsionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Unlike the PMWAC developed by Slough, a traveling magnetic wave is not required to accelerate the FRC. Results have shown electron temperature and density of 7.6 eV, and 5.0x10 13 Recently AFRL has become interested in FRCs for space propulsion application. Specifically, the electric propulsion group at Edwards Air Force Base constructed an annular FRC device called XOCOT.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Pulse Discharge Network Development for a Heavy Gas Field Reversed Configuration Plasma Device

Miller

Rovey

2010

48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition

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A simple LRC circuit model is used to conduct a parametric study of the effects of charging voltage, capacitance, resistance, and inductance on the current waveform of a pulse forming network for field reversed configuration (FRC) plasma production. Using known waveforms from existing networks, estimates of realistic values of resistance and inductance are established for a base network model. Parametric modification of the base model is used to study the effects of each component of the discharge network. Results indicate that increasing charging voltage causes an increase in peak current, but does not effect rise or reversal times. However, increasing capacitance increases peak current and increases rise and reversal times. Further, optimum circuit parameters are determined for the design and construction of an FRC formation test article. Three main design criteria are used and are based on magnetic diffusion time, auto-ionization of background gas, and peak magnetic field strength. Results indicate that a pulse forming network with charging voltage of 25 kV and capacitance of 1 μF provides the widest range of resistance and inductance values such that the waveform meets the design criteria. Nomenclature

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FRX-L: A field-reversed configuration plasma injector for magnetized target fusion

Cited by 69 publications

References 27 publications

Preliminary findings from efforts to model pulsed inductive theta-pinch plasmas via Particle-In-Cell

Preliminary findings from efforts to model pulsed inductive theta-pinch plasmas via Particle-In-Cell

Magneto-Inertial Fusion

Pulse Discharge Network Development for a Heavy Gas Field Reversed Configuration Plasma Device

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