Acoustically driven magnetized target fusion at general fusion

Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) involves compressing an initial magnetically confined plasma of about 1e23 m-3, 100 eV, 7 Tesla, 20 cm radius, >100 microseconds life with a 1000X volume compression in 100 microseconds. If near adiabatic compression is achieved, the final plasma of ∼1e26 m-3, 10 keV, 700 Tesla, 2 cm radius, confined for 10 microseconds would produce interesting fusion energy gain. General Fusion is developing an acoustic compression system using pneumatic pistons focusing a shock wave on the plasma in the center of a 3 m diameter sphere filled with liquid lead-lithium. Low cost driver, straightforward heat extraction, good tritium breeding ratio and excellent neutron protection could lead to a practical power plant. We will review the plasma formation and compression results achieved so far and our plans moving forwards. Work on the compression system will also be described.