Electromagnetically plugged gaseous divertors [fusion reactor]

The novel gas box divertor concept is based on the presence of an electromagnetic force on the neutral gas-plasma boundary that confines the neutral gas and impurities away from the main plasma chamber. The electromagnetic force is generated by J/spl times/B forces on a high density plasma with a low degree of ionization. The force is transmitted from the plasma to the neutral gas through ion-neutral drag. The plasma volumetric force balances the pressure gradient in the neutral gas. The performance of argon and hydrogen target plasmas has been compared and the divertor region modelled. Since the plasma and the neutral gas in the divertor chamber are highly collisional, a fluid analysis over most of the region is appropriate.