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Fusion energy: Progress, partnerships, and the path to deployment
Over the past decade, fusion energy has moved decisively from scientific aspiration toward a credible pathway to a new energy technology. Thanks to long-term federal support, we have significantly advanced our fundamental understanding of plasma physics—the behavior of the superheated gases at the heart of fusion devices. This knowledge will enable the creation and control of fusion fuel under conditions required for future power plants. Our progress is exemplified by breakthroughs at the National Ignition Facility and the Joint European Torus.
Kazunori Takahashi, Daiki Sato
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 63 | Number 1 | May 2013 | Pages 395-397
doi.org/10.13182/FST13-A16966
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
High density helicon plasma is produced by a 13.56 MHz rf discharge under an IGBT-pulsed expanding and strong magnetic field, where the compact solenoid (inner diameter of 10 cm and 616 turn) is used for the formation of the magnetic field. The solenoid current is pulsed by the IGBT device with a pulse width of 20-40 msec. The solenoid current and the resultant magnetic field strength are proportional to the charging voltage to the capacitor. In the presently used solenoid and circuit, the maximum current and the resultant field strength are about 56 A and 3 kGauss, respectively. For the rf power of about 700 W, the high density plasma of about 4 × 1012 cm-3 is achieved. Above the field strength of about 1.6 kGauss, the source plasma density is constant, while the downstream density increases due to the suppression of the radial loss of the plasma particles.