Device and method for statically forming dynamic accelerating field antiform plasma

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of plasmas, and discloses a device and a method for statically forming dynamic accelerating field antiform plasmas, the device comprises a vacuum chamber, an inner coil, an outer coil, a pulse power supply and a control system, the inner coil is distributed along the axial outer inner side of the vacuum chamber and is used for statically forming plasmas, and the outer coil is distributed along the axial outer inner side of the vacuum chamber. The outer layer coil is distributed along the outer side of the axial outer part of the vacuum chamber and used for dynamic acceleration, the control system controls the outer layer coil to be electrified according to a preset time sequence after plasma is formed, through a double-layer coil separation structure and independent power supply and control, the problems of wiring coupling and control complexity of segmented acceleration of the same coil are solved, the circuit design is simplified, and the cost is reduced. And meanwhile, the inner-layer coil ensures stable formation of plasmas, and the outer-layer coil forms a progressive magnetic field gradient to realize acceleration, so that the adjustment precision is improved and magnetic field disturbance in a formation stage is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of plasma technology, and specifically to an apparatus and method for statically generating a dynamic acceleration field reverse-configuration plasma. Background Art

[0002] FRC (Field-Reversed Configuration) is a compact magnetic confinement plasma with a closed magnetic topology. Its core advantages lie in its high plasma β value (the ratio of plasma pressure to magnetic field pressure is close to 1), high density, strong self-organized current, and simple structure without a central conductor. These characteristics make it widely recognized as a highly promising advanced confinement mode in the field of fusion energy. Compared with traditional tokamak devices, the compactness of FRC can significantly reduce the size and complexity of fusion devices, while its high density can improve energy density, providing a foundation for fusion ignition and efficient energy output.

[0003] In practical applications, FRCs need to act as "high-energy plasma carriers": in FRC collision ignition schemes, two or more FRCs need to collide at speeds of hundreds of kilometers per second, forming a high-pressure thermal zone through kinetic energy conversion, ultimately achieving fusion ignition; in magnetic inertial fusion (MIF), FRCs, as energy carriers, are compressed to extreme densities and temperatures to trigger the fusion reaction; in fusion injector systems, FRCs need to be stably accelerated and precisely injected into the target region, serving as a "preheating source" or "fuel pack" before ignition. Therefore, the stable formation and efficient acceleration of FRCs are the core prerequisites for achieving the above fusion pathways.

[0004] However, existing FRC acceleration technologies are insufficient to meet engineering requirements, with the following specific shortcomings: Dynamic synchronous formation acceleration method: This method employs multiple sets of axially distributed coils energized in sequence to synchronize the formation and acceleration of the FRC (e.g., continuous acceleration achieved through a traveling wave magnetic field in MAP experiments). While this method can achieve high-speed jetting, the formation and acceleration processes are strongly coupled. The plasma is subjected to rapidly changing magnetic fields during the formation stage, which can easily lead to magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instability or even structural fracture. Furthermore, the pulse timing of the multiple coils must be strictly synchronized (with errors controlled within microseconds), resulting in extremely high complexity of the control system and poor experimental repeatability.

[0005] Static formation followed by acceleration: A stable FRC is first formed using a θ-pinch coil, and then acceleration is achieved by energizing segments of the same coil group. While this method avoids disturbances during the formation stage, the same coil needs to perform both "formation" and "acceleration" functions, resulting in the need for independent drive modules for each coil segment in the pulse circuit. This leads to dense wiring and severe electromagnetic coupling (mutual inductance between coils can interfere with the magnetic field pattern). Furthermore, during the confinement stage from formation to acceleration, the plasma is prone to loss due to diffusion or energy radiation, reducing acceleration efficiency.

[0006] The aforementioned technical bottlenecks directly limit the application of FRC in fusion experimental devices (such as collider ignition prototypes and fusion thrusters). Therefore, developing a technical solution that decouples static formation from dynamic acceleration, while ensuring the initial stability of FRC, simplifies acceleration control and reduces interference, has become crucial for promoting the engineering of FRC fusion technology. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method for statically forming a dynamic acceleration field inverse plasma. It adopts a double-layer structure with separate inner and outer coils, and is equipped with an independent power supply and control system. This avoids the wiring coupling and control complexity problems caused by segmented acceleration of the same coil, making the circuit design simpler and more reliable. Furthermore, the inner coil statically forms a stable field inverse plasma, while the outer coil is excited one by one according to a predetermined timing sequence to form a magnetic field gradient that progresses along the axial direction, thereby accelerating the FRC axially. This not only improves the adjustment accuracy of the acceleration process, but also avoids magnetic field disturbances during the formation stage.

[0008] This invention is achieved through the following technical solution: A device for statically generating a dynamic acceleration field anti-configuration plasma, comprising: A vacuum chamber, which is a closed channel made of non-metallic material, provides space for the formation and acceleration of plasma; The inner coil includes multiple single-turn circular coaxial coils, all of which are distributed along the inner side of the outer side of the vacuum chamber axis, for statically forming field-reversed plasma. The outer coil includes multiple single-turn circular coaxial coils, all of which are distributed along the outer side of the vacuum chamber axis, and are used to dynamically accelerate the formed field-reversed plasma. The pulse power supply provides independent power to both the inner and outer coils. The control system is connected to the pulse power signal. After the inner coil completes the formation of the field-reversed plasma, the control system controls the outer coil to be energized according to a preset timing sequence.

[0009] In this scheme, the non-metallic vacuum chamber serves as a closed channel, providing space for plasma formation and acceleration. The non-metallic material also avoids the eddy current shielding of the magnetic field by metal, ensuring the efficiency of the magnetic field. The inner and outer coils are distributed along the axial direction of the vacuum chamber and are both multi-turn or single-turn circular coaxial coils. The inner coil is responsible for the static formation of the anti-positional plasma, while the outer coil only performs dynamic acceleration after plasma formation. This changes the existing technology's approach of "the same coil handling both formation and acceleration" or "simultaneous formation and acceleration." Furthermore, the independent power supply design of the pulse power supply eliminates electromagnetic coupling interference between coils at the circuit level, solving the wiring complexity and interference problems caused by segmented energization of the same coil in traditional static acceleration methods. The "formation first, acceleration later" timing logic of the control system ensures that the plasma is accelerated only after stable formation, avoiding MHD instability caused by the coupling of formation and acceleration in dynamic synchronous methods, significantly reducing control difficulty.

[0010] In summary, this structure achieves efficient acceleration while ensuring the stable formation of field-inverted plasma through "formation-acceleration decoupling" in terms of physical space and function, providing a more reliable device foundation for scenarios such as fusion injectors and collision ignition.

[0011] Furthermore, the inner coil and the outer coil are staggered and / or concentrically arranged along the axial direction of the vacuum chamber, and their power supply circuits are not electrically coupled. In this way, different magnetic field distributions can be flexibly adapted according to the field shape optimization requirements (such as staggered layout can balance wiring convenience and magnetic field gradient uniformity, and concentric layout can enhance local magnetic field strength), and magnetic field interference between coils can be reduced through reasonable distribution in physical space.

[0012] Furthermore, the inner coils in the inner layer have the same inner diameter and the spacing between adjacent coils is equal, ensuring that the inner layer coils form a uniform and symmetrical magnetic field environment on the inner side of the vacuum chamber axially. The uniform magnetic field distribution can ensure that the magnetic field force on the pre-ionized gas at each position in the axial direction is more balanced, thereby forming a topologically stable and regularly shaped closed magnetic confinement structure under the action of the reverse magnetic field pulse, avoiding plasma morphology distortion caused by local magnetic field strength abnormalities due to uneven coil size or spacing.

[0013] Furthermore, the inner diameter of each coil in the outer layer is larger than that of the inner layer coil, which reserves sufficient space for the outer layer coil to generate an axial magnetic field gradient. In addition, the spacing between adjacent coils is adjustable, so the distribution of the magnetic field gradient can be flexibly adjusted according to the acceleration requirements to adapt to the thrust requirements of different acceleration stages.

[0014] Furthermore, the control system is configured to: first trigger the high-voltage pulse power supply of the inner coil to generate a reverse magnetic field to form an FRC; after the FRC stabilizes, then trigger the high-voltage pulse power supply of the outer coil to generate a progressive magnetic field gradient, thereby achieving complete decoupling of the FRC formation and acceleration process, without relying on the inner coil, and avoiding circuit coupling interference.

[0015] A method for statically generating a dynamic acceleration field inverse plasma includes the following steps: Step 1: The control system controls the pulse power supply to pass a high voltage pulse current to the inner coil, generating an axial magnetic field bias in the vacuum chamber. Then, an oscillating electromagnetic field is generated in the vacuum chamber to pre-ionize the gas. Then, a reverse main magnetic field pulse is applied to the pre-ionized gas in the vacuum chamber, and finally a stable field-inverse plasma is formed in the vacuum chamber. During the formation process, the outer coil is not energized. Step 2: After the anti-field plasma is stably formed, the control system controls the pulse power supply to pass pulse current to the outer coil according to the preset timing, so that the outer coil generates a magnetic field gradient that advances along the axis in sequence, and dynamically accelerates the anti-field plasma.

[0016] In this method, the outer coil is not energized during the formation stage, avoiding interference from the accelerating magnetic field and ensuring stable plasma formation. Furthermore, the method reduces electromagnetic coupling interference through the independent step-by-step operation of the inner and outer coils. Simultaneously, the axial propulsion magnetic field gradient generated by the outer coil can precisely control the acceleration process. Combined with the "stabilize first, then accelerate" approach, this ensures both the stability of the initial plasma state and improves the controllability of acceleration, providing a feasible methodological support for achieving stable formation and efficient acceleration of field-inverted plasma.

[0017] Furthermore, in step 1, the inner coil first generates an axial bias magnetic field and pre-ionizes the gas, and then forms a field-reversed plasma with a closed magnetic topology through a reverse magnetic field pulse. The closed magnetic topology is constructed by magnetic field reversal. This process is completed entirely by the inner coil and is different from the "formation and acceleration coupling" of the dynamic synchronous formation acceleration method in the prior art, thus avoiding other interference factors.

[0018] Furthermore, in step 2, the energizing timing of the outer coil is configured such that the coils along the preset motion direction of the field-inverted plasma are energized with a sequential delay, so that the advancing direction of the magnetic field gradient is consistent with the acceleration direction of the field-inverted plasma, which can form a continuous and directional magnetic pressure thrust, so that the plasma is always subjected to the same magnetic field force during acceleration, avoiding the reduction in acceleration efficiency or plasma structure disturbance caused by the disorder of the magnetic field gradient direction. Compared with the existing dynamic synchronous acceleration method, the timing control is complicated and the acceleration effect is easily affected by synchronization error.

[0019] Furthermore, in step 2, the control system adjusts the current amplitude of each coil in the outer coil to form a continuously changing axial magnetic field gradient. By limiting the control system, the current amplitude of each coil in the outer coil can be adjusted so that the outer coil can form a continuously changing axial magnetic field gradient, thereby achieving precise control of the field-inverted plasma acceleration.

[0020] Furthermore, the vacuum chamber is a component made of quartz or ceramic material.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects: 1. This invention generates FRC plasma through inner coils, resulting in higher controllability and stability of the initial plasma state. Because the FRC is located at a stable center position in the vacuum chamber during the formation stage, it avoids the strong acceleration and disturbance control of the plasma during formation, as is common in dynamic methods. 2. This invention avoids the complex pulse circuit problem caused by segmented energization of the same coil group in the acceleration method after static formation by using a functional separation design where the inner coil is responsible for formation and the outer coil is responsible for acceleration, as well as independent power supply of the two coils by a pulse power supply. At the same time, it eliminates electromagnetic coupling interference between coils, reduces the probability of false triggering and mutual interference of the system, and simplifies the overall structure and circuit design. 3. The outer coil of the present invention can form a magnetic field gradient that propagates along the axial direction by adjusting the energizing sequence, and can also form a continuously changing axial magnetic field gradient by adjusting the current amplitude of each coil, so as to achieve precise control of the FRC acceleration thrust, launch velocity and acceleration. Compared with the limited adjustment of acceleration parameters in the prior art, the control accuracy is significantly improved. 4. The number, radial spacing, radius and layout of the inner and outer coils in this invention can be adjusted according to requirements, and the power supply module for driving the coils can also be flexibly selected to adapt to the needs of different energy level FRCs and experimental devices. The overall solution has stronger versatility and expandability. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention and form part of this application, do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a front view structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a side view of the structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention.

[0023] The attached diagram shows the markings and corresponding component names: 1-Vacuum chamber, 2-Inner coil, 3-Outer coil, 4-Pulse power supply, 5-Control system. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the present invention are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0025] Example 1 This embodiment 1 provides a device for statically generating a dynamic acceleration field reverse-configuration plasma, such as... Figures 1-3 As shown, it includes a vacuum chamber 1, an inner coil 2, an outer coil 3, a pulse power supply 4, and a control system 5; Please refer to Figures 1-3 As shown, vacuum chamber 1 is made of non-metallic materials, such as quartz or ceramic, to form a closed channel. This closed channel provides space for the formation and acceleration of plasma, avoids the eddy current shielding of the instantaneous magnetic field by metal, prevents magnetic field energy loss and magnetic field shape distortion, ensures that the magnetic field can effectively act on the plasma, and ensures that the plasma forms and accelerates in a stable environment.

[0026] Please refer to Figures 1-3 As shown, the inner coil 2 in this embodiment is a θ-pinch coil, which is distributed along the inner side of the outer side of the vacuum chamber 1. It consists of multiple single-turn circular coaxial coils with the same inner diameter and equal spacing between adjacent coils. It is relatively numerous and has a small radius. In use, it uses the classic θ-pinch method to statically form field inverse plasma (FRC). Then, by passing in a high-voltage pulse current, an axial magnetic field bias is first generated, and a reverse main magnetic field pulse is applied to the pre-ionized gas in the vacuum chamber 1. In a short time, a stable FRC with a closed magnetic topology is formed, which provides a stable plasma source for the subsequent acceleration process.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 1-3 As shown, the outer coil 3 is also distributed along the outer side of the vacuum chamber 1 along its axial direction. It also consists of multiple single-turn circular coaxial coils, but the inner diameter of each coil is larger than that of the inner coil 1. The spacing between adjacent coils is adjustable, and the number is variable, allowing for adjustments as needed. For example, the number of turns in both the inner and outer coils can be increased or decreased, and different inner and outer diameters can be used to adapt to different energy levels of the FRC. After the FRC stabilizes, the outer coil 3 dynamically accelerates it by sequentially performing pulsed discharges according to a designed time sequence, generating an axially varying magnetic field gradient. This magnetic pressure drives the FRC to move along the axial direction of the vacuum chamber, thus accelerating the FRC.

[0028] Please refer to Figures 1-3As shown, the pulse power supply 4 independently supplies power to the inner coil 2 and the outer coil 3, including charging and discharging capacitor banks and discharge switches. When supplying power to the inner coil 2, it provides the high-voltage pulse current required to form the FRC; when supplying power to the outer coil 3, it provides pulse currents of different timing and amplitude according to the instructions of the control system 5, so as to meet the requirement of generating a specific magnetic field gradient for the outer coil 3 to accelerate the FRC, and the independent power supply avoids electrical coupling interference between the power supplies of the inner and outer coils.

[0029] Specifically, the control system 5 is connected to the pulse power supply 4 and is used to adjust the energizing timing and current amplitude of each coil to achieve the required formation and acceleration process. During use, the high-voltage pulse power supply of the inner coil 2 is first triggered to generate a reverse magnetic field to form FRC. After the FRC stabilizes, the high-voltage pulse power supply of the outer coil 3 is triggered to generate a progressive magnetic field gradient. By controlling the pulse power supply to pass a high-voltage pulse current to the inner coil 2, an axial magnetic field bias is generated in the vacuum chamber 1. Then, an oscillating electromagnetic field is generated in the vacuum chamber 1 to pre-ionize the gas. Then, a reverse main magnetic field pulse is applied to the pre-ionized gas in the vacuum chamber 1, and finally a stable field-inverted plasma is formed in the vacuum chamber 1. Afterwards, the pulse power supply is controlled to pass a pulse current to the outer coil 3 according to the preset timing. The energizing sequence, current magnitude and pulse width of the outer coil 3 are adjusted so that the outer coil 3 generates a magnetic field gradient that advances along the axial direction in sequence, dynamically accelerating the FRC and achieving precise control of the entire device operation process.

[0030] The specific operation method of the device for statically generating dynamic acceleration field anti-configuration plasma in Example 1 is as follows; Static formation stage: A suitable amount of gas is filled into a vacuum chamber 1 made of non-metallic materials (such as quartz or ceramic), and the gas is pre-ionized using microwave ionization, radio frequency ionization or laser ionization to make it easy to form plasma, thus creating conditions for the subsequent construction of FRC.

[0031] The control system 5 controls the pulse power supply 4 to supply a high-voltage pulse current to the inner coil 2. These coils are distributed along the inner side of the outer axis of the vacuum chamber 1. When the current passes through the coil, a stable axial magnetic field bias is generated in the vacuum chamber 1, which prepares for the subsequent magnetic field reversal. This magnetic field can guide the movement of charged particles in the pre-ionized gas and make them initially ordered.

[0032] After generating an axial magnetic field bias, a reverse main magnetic field pulse is rapidly applied. Within a short time, the plasma in the gas undergoes complex interactions under the influence of the magnetic field, ultimately forming a field-inverted plasma (FRC) with a closed magnetic topology. At this point, the FRC is stably confined along the axial direction, and the internal magnetic field lines form a closed loop, effectively confining the high-temperature plasma within a certain region, preventing its diffusion and loss, and providing a stable plasma source for the subsequent acceleration process. During this process, the outer coil 3 is not energized to avoid magnetic field interference with the FRC formation process, ensuring that the FRC can form in a stable environment.

[0033] Dynamic acceleration phase: Based on the experimental requirements and the characteristics of FRC, the energizing sequence of the outer coil 3 is preset in the control system 5.

[0034] After the FRC stabilizes, the control system 5 controls the pulse power supply 4 to supply pulse current to the outer coil 3 according to the preset timing. The outer coil 3 is distributed on the outer side of the vacuum chamber 1 along the axis. These coils are energized in sequence to generate a magnetic field gradient that advances along the axis. The direction of the magnetic field gradient is consistent with the preset movement direction of the FRC, thereby providing the FRC with a continuous magnetic pressure thrust, driving it to move along the axis of the vacuum chamber 1.

[0035] The control system 5 can finely adjust the current amplitude of each coil in the outer coil 3. By changing the current amplitude, a continuously varying axial magnetic field gradient can be formed. When the FRC needs to accelerate at a large acceleration, the current amplitude is increased to make the magnetic field gradient change more drastic, providing a stronger magnetic thrust. To reduce acceleration or achieve a smoother acceleration process, the current amplitude is decreased. By controlling the acceleration of the FRC in this way, it can meet the needs of different experimental scenarios and applications, ensuring the stability and controllability of the FRC during the acceleration process.

[0036] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present invention. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for statically generating a dynamic acceleration field reverse-configuration plasma, characterized in that, include: Vacuum chamber (1), the vacuum chamber (1) is a closed channel made of non-metallic material, the closed channel provides space for the formation and acceleration of plasma; Inner coil (2), the inner coil (2) includes multiple single-turn circular coaxial coils, all of which are distributed along the inner side of the outer side of the vacuum chamber (1) to statically form field-reversed plasma; The outer coil (3) includes multiple single-turn circular coaxial coils, all of which are distributed along the outer side of the axial direction of the vacuum chamber (1) to dynamically accelerate the formed field-reversed plasma. The pulse power supply (4) provides independent power to the inner coil (2) and the outer coil (3) respectively; The control system (5) is connected to the pulse power supply (4) by signal. After the inner coil (2) completes the formation of field-reverse plasma, the control system (5) controls the outer coil (3) to be energized according to a preset timing sequence.

2. The apparatus for statically generating a dynamic acceleration field reverse-configuration plasma according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner coil (2) and the outer coil (3) are arranged in an alternating and / or concentric arrangement along the axial direction of the vacuum chamber (1), and their power supply circuits are not electrically coupled.

3. The apparatus for statically generating a dynamic acceleration field reverse-configuration plasma according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner coils (2) have the same inner diameter and the spacing between adjacent coils is equal.

4. The apparatus for statically generating a dynamic acceleration field reverse-configuration plasma according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inner diameter of each coil in the outer coil (3) is larger than the inner diameter of the inner coil (2), and the spacing between adjacent coils is adjustable.

5. The apparatus for statically generating a dynamic acceleration field reverse-configuration plasma according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control system (5) is configured to: first trigger the high voltage pulse power supply of the inner coil (2) to generate a reverse magnetic field to form an FRC; after the FRC stabilizes, trigger the high voltage pulse power supply of the outer coil (3) to generate a progressive magnetic field gradient.

6. A method for statically generating a dynamic acceleration field anti-configuration plasma based on the apparatus described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The following steps are involved: Step 1: Control the pulse power supply (4) through the control system (5) to pass a high voltage pulse current to the inner coil (2), generate an axial magnetic field bias in the vacuum chamber (1), then generate an oscillating electromagnetic field in the vacuum chamber (1) to pre-ionize the gas, then apply a reverse main magnetic field pulse to the pre-ionized gas in the vacuum chamber (1), and finally form a stable field-inverse plasma in the vacuum chamber (1), and the outer coil (3) is not energized during the formation process; Step 2: After the anti-field plasma is stably formed, the control system (5) controls the pulse power supply (4) to supply pulse current to the outer coil (3) according to the preset timing, so that the outer coil (3) generates a magnetic field gradient that advances along the axial direction in sequence, and dynamically accelerates the anti-field plasma.

7. The method for statically forming a dynamic acceleration field inverse plasma according to claim 6, characterized in that, In step 1, the inner coil (2) first generates an axial bias magnetic field and pre-ionizes the gas, and then forms a closed magnetic topology field-inverted plasma through a reverse magnetic field pulse.

8. The method for statically forming a dynamic acceleration field reverse-configuration plasma according to claim 6, characterized in that, In step 2, the energizing timing of the outer coil (3) is configured such that the coils along the preset motion direction of the field anti-configuration plasma are energized in a delayed manner, so that the advancing direction of the magnetic field gradient is consistent with the acceleration direction of the field anti-configuration plasma.

9. A method for statically forming a dynamic acceleration field reverse-configuration plasma according to claim 8, characterized in that, In step 2, the control system (5) adjusts the current amplitude of each coil in the outer coil (3) to form a continuously changing axial magnetic field gradient, thereby regulating the acceleration of the field-reversed plasma.

10. The method for statically forming a dynamic acceleration field reverse-configuration plasma according to claim 8, characterized in that, The vacuum chamber (1) is a component made of quartz or ceramic.

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