Analytic and Computational Study of the Adiabatic Compression of Simply Connected Magnetized Targets

Several critical issues stand in the development path of a magnetized target fusion scheme to a working reactor. Important ones are the limit imposed by liner dwell time, and the requirement for symmetry in high convergences. The usual compression schemes tend to require a lot of energy and large chambers. During Phase I we completed computational and analytic studies of the compression and acceleration of compact tori. We used advanced computations benchmarked against analytic theory to determine the best means for the acceleration and compression of a compact torus plasma. Our study included analysis of the stability of a compact torus under compression. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The Phase II project will use a new means for compressing and trapping a compact torus to maximize the burn time. The new experiment will be supported by computational efforts and analytic modeling, and will be carried out in house by use of largely existing facilities. In Phase II we will build a plasma piston to impact and compress a small compact torus generated in a flux-conserver shaped to preserve stability. In Phase III, we would seek industrial partners to build a high field, high temperature, compact torus compressor, with the ability to repeat. The aim would be to skip the proof-of-principal stage and go straight to performance extension, based on existing results, and on our ability to accurately simulate plasma behavior with existing computational models.