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FRC History, Physics, & Recent developments
| Author: | Hoffman A.L. |
| Coauthor: | |
| Institution : | University of Washington |
| Abstract text: | The name Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) was derived from the reversal of the axial confinement field in the center of a theta-pinch or mirror type plasma column. Reconnection at the ends then formed the FRC, which was originally conceived as a way of stopping end losses. Presently FRCs are thought of as one of two forms of compact toroids, with negligible toroidal field, and can be formed by several methods, including merging two spheromaks with oppositely directed toroidal fields. The inherent high beta makes them extremely attractive for several types of fusion reactors and other applications, but the physics is significantly different from lower beta toroidal configurations. Although calculated to be MHD unstable, FRCs have exhibited a remarkable robustness in many experiments. Both high density pulsed and moderate density steady state versions are being studied. Most previous work has involved high density decaying FRCs, but recent efforts have focused on Rotating Magnetic Field (RMF) driven FRCs. FRCs can be sustained in this manner for as long as the RMF is applied (up to 100 normal decay times), but so far the plasma conditions are fairly modest. Goals of the present work are to bring fluxes and temperatures up the levels of those produced in theta-pinch formed FRCs, but at lower densities, where the additional heating and current drive technique of Tangential Neutral Beam Injection (TNBI) can be effective. |
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