APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC AND ELECTROSTATIC CONFINEMENT OF PLASMA

摘要

A system 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 ions 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.

主权项

1. An apparatus for containing plasma comprising a generally cylindrical chamber having a longitudinal axis,
a first means for creating a magnetic field within the chamber having a field lines axially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a second means for injecting plasma into the chamber, a third means for creating an azimuthal electric field within the chamber that couples to charged particles within the plasma causing the plasma to rotate and accelerating the rotating plasma to form a magnetic field and a corresponding electrostatic field, the magnetic field having a reversed topology and being formed around the rotating plasma, and a fourth means for tuning the electrostatic field.