Equilibrium plasma conditions in electrostatically plugged cusps and mirrors

Blondin, D. G.; Dolan, Thomas J.

doi:10.1063/1.323069

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…where Si is the ionization source, I is the electron current from cathodes into the plasma and T, is the electron loss time by diffusion across the magnetic field. At equilibrium the plasma potential will adjut itself so that these electron and ion loss rates are equal [85] these two equations can be solved simultaneously [86] for the two unknowns $e and 4i, using equation ( 9) for the parallel loss rates. The plasma potential distribution has been computed self-consistently in some two-dimensional models.…”

Section: Plasma Potentialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnetic electrostatic plasma confinement

Dolan¹

1994

Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Electrostatic plasma confinement and magnetic electrostatic plasma confinement (MEPC) have been studied for four decades. The multiple potential well hypothesis, postulated to explain high neutron yields from Hinch's colliding beam experiment, has been supported by several pieces of evidence, but results were inconclusive. Magnetic shielding of the grid was developed to reduce the required beam current and to prevent grid overheating. Electrostatic plugging of magnetic cusps evolved to a similar confipuration. Due to low budgets, early MEPC experiments used spindle cusps, which are poor for plasma confinement. Later experiments used multipole cusps or a linear set of ring cusps, which have larger volnmes of field-free plasma. To keep the self-shielding voltage drop A+ S 100 kV, the electron density n, in the anode gap should be less than about 10'9m-3. The central plasma density can be an order of magnitude higher. The ATOLL toroidal quadrupole had anomalous electron energy transport, but the Jupiter-2M linear set of ring cusps achieved a transport rate about a factor of two above the classical rate. With near-classical transport, a power gain ratio Q = 1 0 is predicted for a reactor with r p = 3 m , B,=6T, and applied voltage + , =400 kV. Besides producing electricity and synthetic fuels, MEPC reactors could be used for heavy ion beams sources and neutIon generators. The main issues of concern for MEPC reactor development are electron transport, plasma purity and electrode alignment and voltage holding.= 100 kV, zP = 0.1 s and d = 0.001 m, this equation gives R > 2.5 m. E y r e 7. Cutaway view of a few grid wires with currents flowing out (+) and into (-) the plane of the drawing. The ellipses represent magnetic field lines.

show abstract

Section: Plasma Potentialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnetic electrostatic plasma confinement

Dolan¹

1994

Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Plasma density in an electrostatically plugged spindle cusp

Hayward

Dolan

1977

The Physics of Fluids

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

The power gain factor Q of an ideal magneto-electrostatic fusion reactor

Yushmanov¹

1980

Nucl. Fusion

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The basic particle and energy balance equations for the reactor are considered on the assumption of only classical interactions, and a simplified solution for them is derived. The results are shown in the form of semi-empirical expressions giving the maximum attainable values of Q and n τ as functions of the main reactor parameters. It is found that the main factor limiting Q is electron diffusion across the magnetic field. If there are no anomalous processes a value of Q ≈5–10 can be attained, provided that the characteristic size of the plasma is a few metres, the magnetic field in the gaps is about 100 kG and the plugging voltage is between 200 and 300 kV.

show abstract

Equilibrium plasma conditions in electrostatically plugged cusps and mirrors

Cited by 4 publications

References 10 publications

Magnetic electrostatic plasma confinement

Magnetic electrostatic plasma confinement

Plasma density in an electrostatically plugged spindle cusp

The power gain factor Q of an ideal magneto-electrostatic fusion reactor

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About