Axial Confinement in the Novatron Mirror Machine

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the axial confinement physics of the Novatron mirror fusion reactor, highlighting its stability features and the combined forces used for particle confinement to achieve high fusion power ratios.

Contribution

It introduces a novel axial confinement scheme using magnetic, electrostatic, and ponderomotive forces in a tandem configuration, with theoretical analysis and comparison to previous designs.

Findings

Enhanced stability against MHD and kinetic modes

Effective confinement with combined forces

Applicable to D-T, D-D, and catalyzed D-D plasmas

Abstract

The Novatron magnetic mirror fusion reactor concept features significant advantages. These include stability against MHD interchange and kinetic DCLC modes, axisymmetry, and minimized radial particle drifts and neoclassical losses. For achieving a ratio Q > 30 of fusion power to heating power, axial particle confinement is uniquely designed to rely on the simultaneous use of three distinct forces; magnetic mirrors, electrostatic potentials, and ponderomotive forces in a tandem-like configuration. Axial confinement physics theory is here analyzed and compared to earlier mirror configurations. Scenarios for D-T, D-D, and catalyzed D-D fusion plasmas are outlined.