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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.
I. Kotelnikov, M. Romé
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 55 | Number 2 | February 2009 | Pages 140-143
Technical Paper | Seventh International Conference on Open Magnetic Systems for Plasma Confinement | doi.org/10.13182/FST09-A7000
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Relativistic effects on the radial equilibrium of non-neutral plasmas confined in cylindrical traps are analyzed for rigid and sheared modes of plasma rotation, both with and without the presence of a coaxial inner charged conductor. The changes with respect to the non-relativistic results are especially pronounced for the fast rotational equilibrium solutions. In particular, relativistic effects can limit the plasma outer radius. Analytical estimates of this maximum radius are found both for a rigid plasma rotation and for the case of a uniform plasma density. It is also observed that the Brillouin density limit is modified when the shielding of the external magnetic field by the current associated with the plasma rotation becomes significant.