Opportunities in Pulsed Magnetic Fusion Energy

TL;DR

This paper advocates for pulsed magnetic fusion as a promising and underfunded approach to achieving commercial fusion energy, highlighting its comparable performance to other methods and potential for further innovation.

Contribution

It emphasizes the potential of pulsed magnetic fusion, supported by its demonstrated performance and scalability, as a leading path toward fusion energy commercialization.

Findings

Pulsed magnetic fusion achieves $P au$ performance comparable to laser-driven ICF and tokamaks.

Pulsed magnetic fusion receives significantly less investment than other fusion concepts.

Scaling relations suggest further innovations can enhance pulsed magnetic fusion performance.

Abstract

Fusion is a potentially transformational energy technology, which promises limitless clean energy. Yet, it requires continued scientific and technological development to realize its potential. The conditions necessary for fusion energy gain in terms of the product of plasma pressure $P$ and confinement time $\tau$ have been known for many decades. An underappreciated fact is that pulsed magnetic fusion has demonstrated $P \tau$ performance on par with laser-driven ICF and tokamaks despite receiving only a small fraction of investment relative to those concepts. In light of this demonstrated performance, well-established scaling relations, and opportunities for further innovations, here we advocate for pulsed magnetic fusion as the most attractive path towards commercialization of fusion energy.