Magnetic Mirror Coil Layout for Stable Annular Plasma Confinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Confining plasma at temperatures of 150 million kelvins for controlled fusion remains a challenge, particularly in magnetic mirror machines, where there is leakage of charged particles due to low mirror ratios and instability from interchange instabilities.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic mirror machine design with concentrically arranged circular-loop coils, tandem magnet systems, and a third magnet system creating a concave magnetic field, providing an annular plasma confinement area with improved magnetohydrodynamic stability and high mirror ratios, including a third magnet system outside the plasma confinement area for radial stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional magnetic mirror machine configurations are used, then plasma confinement is achieved, but particle loss occurs due to low mirror ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic mirror machine is divided into multiple magnet systems (first magnet system with first plurality of coils, second magnet system with second plurality of coils, and third magnet system with third plurality of coils). Each magnet system independently contributes to the overall mirror ratio, allowing the system to achieve high particle confinement without requiring a single excessively complex magnet configuration.
2Reliability
If conventional magnetic mirror machine configurations are used, then plasma confinement is achieved, but interchange instabilities cause magnetohydrodynamic instability
Solution Approach 1:
The third magnet system is specifically positioned to create a concave magnetic field configuration in the plasma confinement area. This localized modification of the magnetic field geometry addresses interchange instabilities in the critical regions where they occur, while the other magnet systems maintain the overall confinement structure.
3Reliability
If additional magnet systems are added to improve confinement and stability, then plasma confinement effectiveness increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each magnet system (first, second, and third) serves multiple functions: they collectively establish the mirror ratio for particle confinement, individually create specific magnetic field geometries (convex or concave), and together provide magnetohydrodynamic stability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enhances plasma confinement by reducing particle loss and maintaining stability, allowing for controlled plasma confinement suitable for fusion reactors.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnet system comprising a first plurality of concentrically arranged circular-loop coils... creating an annular plasma confinement area at said symmetry plane with a magnetic field normal to said symmetry plane
Implementation Method 2
magnetic mirror machine... confining the charged particles of the plasma... One class of such configurations are magnetic mirror machines
Implementation Method 3
arranged for an overall magnetic field line curvature associated with magnetohydrodynamic stability at a radially outward boundary of the plasma confinement area
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A magnetic mirror machine (200) comprises a first magnet system (1) comprising a first plurality of concentrically arranged circular-loop coils (11, 12), comprising a first coil (11) arranged to carry a current in a first direction; and a second coil (12) arranged to carry a current in a second direction opposite to said first direction; and a second magnet system (2) comprising a second plurality of concentrically arranged circular-loop coils (21, 22), arranged with mirror symmetry with respect to said first magnet system relative to a symmetry plane (P) located between said first magnet system (1) and said second magnet system (2), said first magnet system (1) and said second magnet system (2) being arranged as to create an annular plasma confinement area (206) at said symmetry plane (P) with a magnetic field normal to said symmetry plane (P) at said symmetry plane (P), said magnetic mirror machine further comprising a tandem magnet system (4, 4'), comprising a first tandem coil (41) located longitudinally outside said first coil (11, 21) of one of said first magnet system (1) or said second magnet system (2) and arranged to carry a current in said first direction, and a second tandem coil (42) located longitudinally outside said second coil (12, 22) of said one of said first magnet system (1) or said second magnet system (2) and arranged to carry a current in said second direction.