Doubling Fusion Power with Volumetric Optimization in Magnetic Confinement Fusion Devices

TL;DR

This paper introduces a volumetric power optimization technique for magnetic confinement fusion devices, specifically tokamaks, which enhances fusion power output by enlarging the plasma volume while maintaining stability.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel method to optimize fusion power by shifting the burning plasma region volumetrically with minimal boundary perturbations, ensuring stability.

Findings

Edge perturbation improves power output

Stability calculations confirm compatibility

Potential to enhance fusion reactor performance

Abstract

A technique, volumetric power optimization, is presented for enhancing the power output of magnetic confinement fusion devices. Applied to a tokamak, this approach involves shifting the burning plasma region to a larger plasma volume while introducing minimal perturbations to the plasma boundary shape. This edge perturbation -- squareness -- is analogous to pinching and stretching the edge boundary. Stability calculations confirm that this edge alteration is compatible with maintaining plasma stability. This optimization method for optimizing fusion power output could improve the performance of magnetic confinement fusion power plants.