Field-reversal experiments in a neutral-beam-injected mirror machine

197971 citationsJournal Article

Authors

W.C. Turner · Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

John F. Clauser · Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

F.H. Coensgen · Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

D.L. Correll · Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

W.F. Cummins · Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

R.P. Freis · Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

R.K. Goodman

Abstract

Data on field-reversal experiments in the neutral-beam-injected 2XIIB mirror machine are reported. The best result is an estimated field-reversal parameter ζ = ΔB/Bvac = 0.9 ± 0.2 with vacuum field strength Bvac = 4.35 kG. Experiments at higher field strength Bvac = 6.7 kG achieved ζ = 0.6 ± 0.1. Ion energy confinement ⟨nτEi⟩ for the Bvac = 6.7 kG experiment is less than that predicted by classical Spitzer electron drag. Ion-cyclotron oscillations increasing with injected neutral-beam current suggest that ion-cyclotron losses are present and that ΔB/Bvac could be increased by improving stabilization of the ion-cyclotron oscillations.

Topics & Keywords

Magnetic confinement fusion research Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics Particle accelerators and beam dynamics

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Affordable and clean energy

Publication Details

Published in: Nuclear Fusion

Volume 19, Issue 8, pp. 1011-1028

DOI: 10.1088/0029-5515/19/8/002

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 11.05