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

Steady state magnetic fusion concepts must overcome a number of difficulties: (1) maintaining stability and sustaining the current in steady state; (2) continuous heat flux on the first wall; and (3) heating of the plasma to thermonuclear conditions. Although solutions have been suggested for each of these problems ¿ e.g., the steady-state problem could be resolved by being pulsed, the wall problem by using non-metallic first walls, and the heating problem by compression ¿ experiments must be conducted to test the feasibility of these suggestions. This project will use analytic and computational modeling, and will design realistic experiments, to support the physics basis of experiments seeking to resolve these issues. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The promise of economic fusion energy remains elusive, despite many large steps in that direction over the last 50 years. The economic benefits of an energy source, whose reactants are plentiful and products are environmentally benign, would be enormous.