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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.
Serhat Cakir, S. Eren San, Vladimir V. Mirnov, Gulay Oke
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 35 | Number 1 | January 1999 | Pages 215-217
Oral Presentations | doi.org/10.13182/FST99-A11963854
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The marginal stability of MHD modes is discussed in application for high beta multiple mirror experiments planned at Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics. Flute modes arc dangerous in axisymmetric systems with β < 1. In the case of “wall confined” plasmas, (β ≫ 1), pressure slightly varies along the radius providing less radial gradient and more stability against MHD modes. Effect of ion-ion viscosity becomes important in corrugated magnetic field. It results in the reduction of the growth rate by a factor β1/2. In the process of start up and plasma heating β < 1. If flute modes are stabilized during this period by the line-tying mechanizm ballooning modes are still unstable when β > βcr. A very low ballooning margin is predicted in multiple mirror with the large number of cells: βcr < π2 /N2. For the number of cells N ≃ 10: βcr ≃ 5%. Results of the calculations are discussed in the context of old and new multiple mirror experiments.