Experimental studies of plasma confinement in toroidal systems

To produce a net gain of energy during the fusion reactions of light nuclei (e.g. H,D,T,He,Li) in a plasma the Lawson criteria concerning temperature, particle number density and confinement time, must be met. The theoretical and experimental aspects of the closed-line magnetic-field approach to the plasma isolation and confinement problem is reviewed. The topology of such systems is toroidal. Plasma energy loss processes are discussed. Stellarators, toroidal punches, internal-ring devices (multipoles and levitrons) and, in particular, Tokamaks are considered.