Abstract
Numerous efforts have been made at Tri-Alpha Energy (TAE) to theoretically explore the physics of microwave electron heating in field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasmas. For the fixed 2D profiles of plasma density and temperature for both electrons and thermal ions and equilibrium field of the C-2U machine, simulations with GENRAY-C ray-tracing code have been conducted for the ratios of ω/ω ci[D] in the range of 6 - 20. Launch angles and antenna radial and axial positions have been optimized in order to simultaneously achieve good wave penetration into the core of FRC plasmas and efficient power damping on electrons. It is found that in an optimal regime, single pass absorption efficiency is 100% and most of the power is deposited inside the separatrix of FRC plasmas, with power damping efficiency of about 72% on electrons and less than 19% on ions. Calculations have clearly demonstrated that substantial power absorption on electrons is mainly attributed to high beta enhancement of magnetic pumping; complete power damping occurs before Landau damping has a significant effect on power absorption.
Highlights
The C-2U advanced beam-driven field-reversed configuration (FRC) device [1] is a simple compact toroid magnetic confinement system, that is, one without toroidal coils linking the plasma, and with predominantly poloidal fields
Launch angles and antenna radial and axial positions have been optimized in order to simultaneously achieve good wave penetration into the core of FRC plasmas and efficient power damping on electrons
Calculations have clearly demonstrated that substantial power absorption on electrons is mainly attributed to high beta enhancement of magnetic pumping; complete power damping occurs before Landau damping has a significant effect on power absorption
Summary
The C-2U advanced beam-driven FRC device [1] is a simple compact toroid magnetic confinement system, that is, one without toroidal coils linking the plasma, and with predominantly poloidal fields. The attractions of such a configuration for a potential fusion reactor are its very high (near unity) allowing for efficient use of magnetic hardware, simple and linear geometry for ease of construction and maintenance, as well as a natural, unrestricted divertor configuration for facilitating energy extraction and fusion ash removal [2]. The combination of MP and LD can lead to 100% single pass absorption
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