Magnetic confined plasma for fusion reactions. Chapter 4

In the magnetic confinement the plasma densities are lower (ηt ∼ 1014/cm3) and the confinement time higher (τ ε > ∼ 1 s). In the MCF, the fusion plasma is confined by carefully shaped magnetic fields so that the plasma kinetic pressure is balanced by the magnetic pressure. This restrains the plasma from expanding. The MCF systems are usually characterized by the value of beta it can hold. The value of beta is the ratio of particle pressure (nkBT) to the magnetic pressure (B-bar2/2μ0). The requirements of thermonuclear fusion plasma and the various magnetic confinement techniques being considered to achieve it, are discussed