Magnetic and electrostatic confinement of plasma in a field reversed configuration

A technology of plasma and ion beams, applied in the field of ions, can solve the problems of magnetic topology, destruction of reaction rate, failure to discuss field reverse configuration, etc.

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-08-15
RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA
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  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

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Problems solved by technology

Disadvantages of the neutron reaction are: (1) the flux of fast neutrons creates a number of problems, including structural damage to the reactor walls and high levels of radioactivity to most structural materials; and (2) the thermal energy of the fast neutrons is convert to electricity to harvest their energy, which is very inefficient (less than 30%)
Tokamak reactors using D-T fuel have other problems: most of the energy of the fusion products is carrie...

Method used

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  • Magnetic and electrostatic confinement of plasma in a field reversed configuration
  • Magnetic and electrostatic confinement of plasma in a field reversed configuration
  • Magnetic and electrostatic confinement of plasma in a field reversed configuration

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Embodiment Construction

[0063] An ideal fusion reactor solves the anomalous transport of ions and electrons. The anomalous transport of ions is avoided by magnetic confinement within a field-reversed configuration (FRC) in such a way that most ions have large, non-adiabatic trajectories so that they are sensitive to the short wavelengths that cause anomalous transport of adiabatic ions. Not sensitive to fluctuations. For electrons, the anomalous transfer of energy is avoided by tuning an applied magnetic field to generate a strong electric field that electrostatically confines them in a deep potential well. Furthermore, fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement process and apparatus are not limited to neutron fuels, but advantageously include advanced fuels as well. (For a discussion of advanced fuels, see Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, A271 (1988) JJ-64 (Amsterdam, North Holland), R. Feldbacher and M. Heindler).

[0064] The currently discovered soluti...

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Abstract

A system and apparatus for containing plasma are described in which plasma ions are contained magnetically in stable, non-adiabatic orbits in a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology. 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 they are fused together by the 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.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application dated February 1, 2002, the application number 02807791.1, and the title of the invention "Magnetic and electrostatic confinement of plasma in field reverse configuration". [0002] This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. N00014-99-1-0857 awarded by the Office of Naval Research. During 1992-1993, several background studies were supported by the US Department of Energy. The government has certain rights in this invention. technical field [0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of plasma physics and, in particular, to methods and apparatus for confining plasmas. Plasma confinement is of particular interest for the purpose of achieving nuclear fusion reactions. Background technique [0004] Fusion is the process by which two light nuclei combine to form one heavy nucleus. The nuclear fusion process releases enormous amounts of energy in the form of fast-mov...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): H05H1/10G21B1/00H05H
CPCY02E30/126Y02E30/10
Inventor N·罗斯托克M·宾德鲍尔A·克鲁施H·塔西里E·加拉特V·拜斯特里特斯基
Owner RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA
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