First stage experiments at the end system of axisymmetric tandem mirror AMBAL-M

Development of completely axisymmetric tandem mirror AMBAL-M has been continued in Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics. At the present time experiments at the separate end system of this device have been started in order to obtain MHD-stable, dense, hot plasma in the end mirror. For accomplishment of MHD stabilization it is supposed to use stabilization by high pressure plasma with hot particles in a conducting shell. In the end mirror with the magnetic field in throats up to 60 kGs, mirror ratio 4, distance between throats 1.7 m there is a possibility to create a population of hot electrons by means of double-frequency ECR heating with the power up to 0.8 MW and population of hot ions by neutral beams injection with the power up to 5 MW. For MHD stabilization of plasma in transient regimes it is suggested to use semicusp with hot ions as an anchor or to provide an effect of line-tying. (author) 4 refs., 3 figs