Potential Magnetized Target Fusion Targets for Atlas

Summary form only given. The near-term goal of magnetized target fusion research is to compress plasma inside a liner to thermonuclear temperatures. Two candidate plasma targets are the field-reversed configuration (FRC), and the stabilized hard-core Z pinch or MAGO configuration. Advantages of the FRC are high beta intrinsic to the configuration, a separatrix in the magnetic field that can isolate the fusion fuel from the walls, and experimentally demonstrated translation of the FRC from a formation coil into an imploding liner geometry. Advantages of the MAGO are experimentally demonstrated operation at high-density, self-organized stability for a wide range of beta values, wall confinement of fuel as needed for compression to beta greater than unity, and a coaxial geometry well suited for in-situ formation in an Atlas chamber. The major issues for the FRC are its poorly understood magnetohydrodynamic stability and the relatively complex hardware required for formation. For MAGO the major issues are mitigation of wall impurities generated by wall-plasma interactions intrinsic to the configuration, and generally less extensive diagnostics of experimental parameters connected with high-energy-density experimental conditions. This paper will present results of modeling aimed at comparison of these targets in a liner-compression context. An FRC compression experiment is being planned for the Air Force Research Laboratory Shiva Star facility. Higher energy compression experiments of either target are possible on Atlas. To make a sound judgment about the potential of magnetized target fusion, both plasma targets should be tested experimentally as soon as funding can be obtained