Magneto-inertial fusion

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Magneto-inertial fusion (MIF) describes a class of fusion devices which combine aspects of magnetic confinement fusion and inertial confinement fusion in an attempt to lower the cost of fusion devices.[1] MIF uses magnetic fields to confine an initial warm, low-density plasma, then compresses that plasma to fusion conditions using an impulsive driver or "liner."

Magneto-inertial fusion approaches differ in the degree of magnetic organization present in the initial target, as well as the nature and speed of the imploding liner. Laser, solid,[2] liquid and plasma[3] liners have all been proposed.

Magneto-inertial fusion begins with a warm dense plasma target containing a magnetic field. Plasma's conductivity prevents it from crossing magnetic field lines. As a result, compressing the target amplifies the magnetic field.[4][5][6] Since the magnetic field reduces particle transport, the field insulates the target from the liner.

In popular fiction[edit]

The starships in Mike Kupari's novel Her Brother's Keeper are propelled in part by magneto-inertial fusion rockets.[7]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Why Magnetized Target Fusion Offers a Low-Cost Development Path For Fusion Energy (PDF)
  2. ^ Taccetti, J. M.; et al. (2003), "FRX-L: A Field-Reversed Configuration Plasma Injector For Magnetized Target Fusion" (PDF), Review of Scientific Instruments, 74 (10): 4314, Bibcode:2003RScI...74.4314T, doi:10.1063/1.1606534
  3. ^ Plasma-Jet Driven Magneto-Inertial Fusion, archived from the original on 2012-08-17, retrieved 2012-07-24
  4. ^ Thio, Y. C. F. (2008), "Status of the US program in magneto-inertial fusion" (PDF), Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 112 (4): 042084, Bibcode:2008JPhCS.112d2084T, doi:10.1088/1742-6596/112/4/042084, S2CID 250693659
  5. ^ Wessel, F. J.; Felber, F. S.; Wild, N. C.; Rahman, H. U.; Fisher, A.; Ruden, E. (1986-04-28). "Generation of high magnetic fields using a gas‐puff Z pinch". Applied Physics Letters. 48 (17): 1119–1121. Bibcode:1986ApPhL..48.1119W. doi:10.1063/1.96616. ISSN 0003-6951.
  6. ^ Rahman, H. U.; Wessel, F. J.; Rostoker, N. (1995). "Staged Z pinch". Physical Review Letters. 74: 714. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.74.714.
  7. ^ Kupari, Mike (2015). Her Brother's Keeper. Riverdale, New York: Baen Books. p. 40. ISBN 978-1-4767-8090-0. OCLC 920469663.


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