High field magnetic confinement of fusion plasmas

Montgomery, D.B.

doi:10.1007/3-540-13504-9_11

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…The ion energy is reduced to 28 eV for a mirror ratio of 3, and to 12 eV for a mirror ratio of 2 ( Figure 15). The corresponding magnetic field strengths are reduced from 18 Tesla with no mirror losses to 16 Tesla when R-=3 and 15 Tesla when %=2, indicating that the relativistic charged particle pressure rather than the plasma thermal pressure plays a dominant role in defining the minimum magnetic field strengths. Assuming a mirror ratio of 2, the specific impulse is 4950 seconds, and the normalized engine thrust is 8.1 x N.s/cnia.…”

Section: High Number Density Hydrogen Plasmamentioning

confidence: 97%

Antiproton powered propulsion with magnetically confined plasma engines

LaPointe¹

1991

Journal of Propulsion and Power

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Matter-antimatter annihilation releases more energy per unit mass than any other method of energy production, making it an attractive energy source for spacecraf't propulsion. In the magnetically confined plasma engine, antiproton beams are injected axially into a pulsed magnetic mirror system, where they annihilate with an initially neutral hydrogen gas. The resulting charged annihilation products transfer energy to the hydrogen propellant, which is then exhausted through one end of the pulsed mirror system to provide thrust. The calculated energy transfer efficiencies for a low number density ( 1014cm-a) hydrogen propellant are insufficient to warrant operating the engine in this mode. Efficiencies are improved using moderate propellant number densities ( 10'ecm-a), but the energy transferred to the plasma in a realistic magnetic mirror system is generally limited to less than 2% of the initial proton-antiproton annihilation energy. The energy transfer efficiencies are highest for high number density ( l O ' *~m -~) propellants, but plasma temperatures are reduced by excessive radiation losses. Low to moderate thrust over a wide range of specific impulse can be generated with moderate propellant number densities, while higher thrust but lower specific impulse may be generated using high propellant number densities. Significant mass will be required to shield the superconducting magnet coils from the high energy gamma radiation emitted by neutral pion decay. The mass of such a radiation shield may dominate the total engine mass, and could severely diminish the performance of antiproton powered engines which utilize magnetic confinement. The problem is compounded in the antiproton powered plasma engine, where lower energy plasma bremsstrahlung radiation may cause shield surface ablation and degradation.

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Section: High Number Density Hydrogen Plasmamentioning

confidence: 97%

Antiproton powered propulsion with magnetically confined plasma engines

LaPointe¹

1991

Journal of Propulsion and Power

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“…For the reasons mentioned above, high field devices have attracted attention, even though the mechanical forces acting on the magnets and the requirements of energy dissipation in the coils pose formidable technological problems [5]. Furthermore, since the average thermal wall loading for a given nr E scales as n 2 aT, it is expected that for compact devices at very high fields acceptable values of wall loading will eventually be surpassed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High magnetic field tokamaks

et al. 1986

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A review of existing high magnetic field tokamaks is presented. The results obtained, especially in the research areas concerning confinement, impurity control and heating, are discussed and compared with those of tokamaks at lower toroidal field. New devices, either proposed or under construction, are surveyed. Advantages and difficulties of such machines in exploring the approach to ignition are examined.

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Initial Exploration of High-Field Pulsed Stellarator Approach to Ignition Experiments

Queral¹,

Volpe

Spong

et al. 2018

J Fusion Energ

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In the framework of fusion energy research based on magnetic confinement, pulsed high-field tokamaks such as Alcator and FTU have made significant scientific contributions, while several others have been designed to reach ignition, but not built yet (IGNITOR, FIRE). Equivalent stellarator concepts, however, have barely been explored. The present study aims at filling this gap by: (1) performing an initial exploration of parameters relevant to ignition and of the difficulties for a highfield stellarator approach, and, (2) proposing a preliminary high-field stellarator concept for physics studies of burning plasmas and, possibly, ignition. To minimize costs, the device is pulsed, adopts resistive coils and has no blankets. Scaling laws are used to estimate the minimum field needed for ignition, fusion power and other plasma parameters. Analytical expressions and finite-element calculations are used to estimate approximate heat loads on the divertors, coil power consumption, and mechanical stresses as functions of the plasma volume, under wide-ranging parameters. Based on these studies, and on assumptions on the enhancement-factor of the energy confinement time and the achievable plasma beta, it is estimated that a stellarator of magnetic field B * 10 T and 30 m 3 plasma volume could approach or reach ignition, without encountering unsurmountable thermal or mechanical difficulties. The preliminary conceptual device is characterised by massive copper coils of variable cross-section, detachable periods, and a lithium wall and divertor.

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High field magnetic confinement of fusion plasmas

Cited by 7 publications

References 4 publications

Antiproton powered propulsion with magnetically confined plasma engines

Antiproton powered propulsion with magnetically confined plasma engines

High magnetic field tokamaks

Initial Exploration of High-Field Pulsed Stellarator Approach to Ignition Experiments

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