Skip to main content
Log in

The Spheromak Path to Fusion

  • Published:
Journal of Fusion Energy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Options for a spheromak fusion-energy reactor are described and provide examples of the attractive opportunities which this magnetic configuration offers. However, the ability of the spheromak to confine plasma energy has not yet been demonstrated. The physics issues, including confinement in the presence of current drive by a magnetic dynamo driven by helicity injection, are summarized. These are being studied in the Sustained Spheromak Physics Experiment at LLNL.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. “The Spheromak Path to Fusion Energy,” http://www.-mfe.llnl.gov/, April 1998.

  2. R. L. Hagenson and R. A. Krakowski (1985). Fusion Techn. 8, 1606.

    Google Scholar 

  3. E. B. Hooper and T. K. Fowler (1996). Fusion Techn. 30, 1390.

    Google Scholar 

  4. T. K. Fowler, J. S. Hardwick, and T. R. Jarboe (1994). Comments Plasma Phys. and Controlled Fusion 16, 91.

    Google Scholar 

  5. T. K. Fowler and E. B. Hooper (June 24–28, 1996). Proceedings of the 8th Intern. Conf. on Emerging Nuclear Energy Systems, Obnisnsk, Russia.

    Google Scholar 

  6. T. K. Fowler, D. D. Hua, E. B. Hooper, R. W. Moir, and L. D. Pearlstein (1999). Comments on Plasma Phys. and Controlled Fusion, Comments on Modern Physics 1C, 83.

    Google Scholar 

  7. “Magneto-Inertial Fusion—A community-based R&D Roadmap,” http://fusionenergy.lanl.gov/, April 2, 1998.

  8. A. B. Rechester and M.N. Rosenbluth (1978). “Electron Heat Transport in a Tokamak with Destroyed Magnetic Surfaces,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 40, 38.

    Google Scholar 

  9. T. K. Fowler (1996). “Theoretical Aspects of Energy Confinement in Spheromaks,” Fusion Tech. 29, 191.

    Google Scholar 

  10. E. B. Hooper, J. H. Hammer, C. W. Barnes, J. C. Fernández, and F. J. Wysocki (1996). Fusion Techn. 29, 191.

    Google Scholar 

  11. B. B. Kadomtsev and O.P. Pogutse, “Electron Heat Conductivity of the Plasma across a ‘Braided’ Magnetic Field,” Proc. 7th IAEA Conf, Innsbruck, 1978, p 649

  12. F.J. Wysocki, J. C. Fernández, I. Henins, T. R. Jarboe, and G. J. Marklin (1988). Phys. Rev. Letters 61, 2457.

    Google Scholar 

  13. T. R. Jarboe (1994). Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 36, 945.

    Google Scholar 

  14. E. B. Hooper, L. D. Pearlstein, and R. H. Bulmer (1999). Nucl. Control. Fusion 39, 863.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Thomassen, K.I., Hooper, E.B. & Ryutov, D.D. The Spheromak Path to Fusion. Journal of Fusion Energy 17, 193–199 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021893809548

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021893809548

Navigation