Submegajoule Liner Implosion of a Closed Field Line Configuration

Abstract

The adiabatic compression of a preformed closed field line configuration by an imploding liner is considered. Three configurations are discussed: the field-reversed configuration, the spheromak, and the Z-pinch. It is shown that by employing a two-dimensional compression, one can reach a breakeven condition with an energy input into the plasma as low as 100 kJ. A brief discussion of various phenomena affecting the plasma wall confinement is presented. It is shown that heat losses to the walls are modest and do not limit the plasma enhancement factor Q. The derived scaling law for Q versus the input parameters of the system shows a relatively weak dependence of Q on the input energy. 34 refs., 9 figs., 2 tabs.