Open Ended Axially Symmetric Systems. Results and Perspectives

Significant progress of the simplest axisymmetric magnetic systems for plasma confinement and heating is described. Two of such systems are presented in this paper: multi mirror (GOL-3) and gas dynamic (GDT) traps. In the GOL-3 case the temperatures Te∼T∼2 keV were obtained in a dense (of order of 1021m-3) plasma and the maximum value of nτE∼2·1018m-3s was achieved. Any physical limitations which could prevent from further grow of plasma parameters did not find out. The most important results obtained in the experiments on GDT are described. A new step (GDT-U) has been prepared and the first preliminary experiments with quasi-stationary plasma heating have started. According to calculations, the parameters of the GDT-U should demonstrate the feasibility of 'moderate' (0.5 MW/m2) 14 MeV neutron source for structural materials tests of fusion reactor