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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.
J. B. McBride, N. A. Uckan, R. J. Kashuba
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 4 | Number 2 | September 1983 | Pages 497-501
Plasma Engineering | doi.org/10.13182/FST83-A22912
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
This paper summarizes the results of a preliminary assessment of energetic ion rings for use in an ELMO Bumpy Torus (EBT) reactor. The properties of ion rings are compared with those of electron rings. Ion rings appear to require sizable devices and magnetic field strengths for stable, adiabatic confinement. Stable windows for steady-state ion ring operation having acceptable power requirements, determined mainly by Coulomb drag on the background electrons, appear to exist for EBT reactors. Power requirements for ion rings can be quantitatively lower than those for electron rings, provided the ion ring volume does not greatly exceed the electron ring volume. Some stability properties of ion rings are also discussed. Results of parametric trade-off studies for ion rings versus electron rings using an EBT reactor systems code are presented.