Wave-driven rotation in centrifugal mirrors

Abraham J. Fetterman, Nathaniel J. Fisch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Centrifugal mirrors use supersonic rotation to provide axial confinement and enhanced stability. Usually the rotation is produced using electrodes, but these electrodes have limited the rotation to the Alfven critical ionization velocity, which is too slow to be useful for fusion. Instead, the rotation could be produced using radio frequency waves. A fixed azimuthal ripple is a simple and efficient wave that could produce rotation by harnessing alpha particle energy. This is an extension of the alpha channeling effect. The alpha particle power and efficiency in a simulated devices is sufficient to produce rotation without external energy input. By eliminating the need for electrodes, this opens new opportunities for centrifugal traps.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)136-139
Number of pages4
JournalFusion Science and Technology
Volume59
Issue number1 T
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2011

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics
  • Nuclear Energy and Engineering
  • General Materials Science
  • Mechanical Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Wave-driven rotation in centrifugal mirrors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this