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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.
Alexei Yu. Chirkov, Vladimir I. Khvesyuk
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 55 | Number 2 | February 2009 | Pages 162-167
Technical Paper | Seventh International Conference on Open Magnetic Systems for Plasma Confinement | doi.org/10.13182/FST09-A7005
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Electromagnetic drift instabilities are considered for tandem mirror and field reversed plasma configurations taking into account effects of magnetic drift and finite ( = plasma pressure / magnetic pressure). Stabilization of drift modes due to finite plasma length along magnetic field lines is studied. Dispersion equation includes effects of the common actions of gradients of plasma density, ion temperature and electron temperature with no assumption of adiabatic response of ions or electrons for the ranges of perpendicular wave number values from k[perpindicular] < 1/Ti up to k[perpindicular] ~ 1/Te (Ti and Te are ion and electron thermal gyroradiuses). Instability induced turbulent transport is considered for mirror and field reversed magnetic configurations. Effect of sheared E × B flow on fluctuation level and transport is discussed.