TMX experimental results

The Tandem Mirror Experiment (TMX) combines the best features of the solenoid and minimum-B magnetic field shapes for generating and containing plasmas. A straight solenoid section provides a reservoir of heated ions, and minimum-B magnets at either end serve as electrostatic barriers to prevent ion leakage. Solenoid plasma leakage controls microinstabilities in the minimum-B plugs, while the minimum-B plasma assures magnetohydrodynamic stability in the solenoid. The TMX device includes a vacuum system, which prevents gas molecules from cooling the plasma. Plasma guns at each end create an initial plasma, which is then sustained by neutral beams. Diagnostic equipment, measuring the plasma properties, reveals the extent to which the TMX can improve central-cell plasma electrostatic confinement and raise electron temperatures. Its success over previous magnetic-fusion-energy plasma-confinement schemes will help the design of future thermonuclear power reactors. Exploit diagrams of the TMX device and diagnostic equipment are provided