Abstract
Plasma properties can be useful in a wide spectrum of applications. Experimental projects on controlled nuclear fusion are the most challenging of these applications and, at the same time, the best way to approach plasma science. Since nuclear fusion reactors can ensure a large-scale, safe, environmentally-friendly and virtually inexhaustible source of energy, several fusion-oriented megaprojects and innovative companies are appearing all over the world. PROTO-SPHERA (Spherical Plasma for HElicity Relaxation Assessment) is the first plasma project with a simply connected configuration, namely not requiring additional objects inside the plasma volume. This is obtained by a plasma arc, shaped as a screw pinch, acting as the centerpost of a spherical torus with minimal aspect ratio. Due to its intrinsic physical, engineering and economic advantages, this new approach is attractive also on an industrial scale and with several developments that still needs to be explored. This paper presents the PROTO-SPHERA basic principles, its first encouraging results and its expected and potential evolutions.
Highlights
Plasma is the most abundant form of matter in the Universe, estimated to account for more than99% of the existing visible matter
A step forward is expected by the Spherical Plasma for HElicity Relaxation Assessment (PROTO-SPHERA) project developed at the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) in Frascati, the first plasma experiment with a connected configuration and closed flux surfaces
This can be achieved by triggering a sort of spherical tokamak through the self-organization of a plasma arc fed by electrodes [24,25,26,27,28,29,30]
Summary
Plasma is the most abundant form of matter in the Universe, estimated to account for more than. A step forward is expected by the Spherical Plasma for HElicity Relaxation Assessment (PROTO-SPHERA) project developed at the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) in Frascati, the first plasma experiment with a connected configuration and closed flux surfaces. This can be achieved by triggering a sort of spherical tokamak through the self-organization of a plasma arc fed by electrodes (anode and cathode) [24,25,26,27,28,29,30]. It could contribute to the other fields related to fusion and plasma researches
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