Compression by Liners of Plasma-Field Configurations with Beta < 1,
Abstract
This report derives the thermonuclear yield from a cylindrical plasma with beta < 1 (specifically, a reversed-field theta-pinch configuration) being compressed by an imploding liner. Since magnetic field is mixed with plasma, the average plasma density, and hence the fusion output are reduced in comparison with the beta = 1 systems considered previously. The trajectory of the liner is also modified due to the increased gamma (ratio of specific heats) of the plasma-field mixture. For the same peak field and system size, the value of Q (ratio of fusion output to system energy) is reduced to a fraction s of its value in the beta = 1 case, where s depends upon the initial pressure distribution in the plasma, and upon the compression ratio; over the likely range of parameters, 0.1 < s < 0.3. The significance of this result for the design of LINUS fusion systems is discussed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA039844
Entities
People
- A. E. Robson
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory