High energy density fusion using the Compact Torus

Summary Form only given, as follows. The authors are considering using the Compact Torus (CT) magnetic field configuration to produce fusion energy in high-energy density regimes, where the pressures generated extend well beyond the strength of materials. Under such conditions, nearby walls that provide inertial damping are vaporized and pushed aside with each shot. Spherical plasma scaling is being studied for initial plasma-field energies of 10 and 100 MJ. Nonaxisymmetric fuel injection, which can increase Q to 100 or more, appears possible. Magnetic fields are still required in this regime, since field-free electron conduction losses are large. However, plasma energy transport at the Bohm rate is small. The magnetic field can provide confinement or insulation against electron heat conduction. The possibility of a high-energy-density fusion reactor with destructible walls has been noted for some time. What is new is a low-cost driver for forming high-energy-density CTs at high efficiency and on the timescale of the application discussed here.<
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