Proposal of A Linked Mirror Configuration for Magnetic Confinement Experiment

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel linked mirror magnetic confinement device with a three-dimensional structure that improves particle confinement and stability, potentially surpassing tokamaks in confinement efficiency for fusion applications.

Contribution

It introduces a new linked mirror configuration with a three-dimensional design that enhances confinement and stability compared to traditional linear mirrors.

Findings

Good single-particle confinement similar to tokamaks

Neoclassical confinement exceeds that of equivalent tokamaks

Potential for MHD stable high beta equilibria

Abstract

A new linked mirror device for magnetic confinement experiment is proposed. The new linked mirror device consists of two straight magnetic mirrors connected by two half-torus. The structure of the configuration as a whole is three dimensional because the two linear mirror sections are not parallel. The angle between the two mirror sections generates rotational transform which results in good magnetic confinement of toroidally processing passing particles. In this way the usual loss cone of the traditional linear mirror machines is eliminated. The single particle confinement is similar to that of tokamaks with most of particles well confined. The calculated neoclassical confinement is very good and is even better than that of an equivalent tokamak. Potentially the proposed linked mirror configuration can allow MHD stable high beta equilibria with good plasma confinement suitable for neutron sources and magnetic fusion reactors.