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Multiple pinch method and apparatus for producing average magnetic well in plasma confinement

  • US 4,543,231 A
  • Filed: 12/14/1981
  • Issued: 09/24/1985
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1981
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for generating and containing plasma with a multipole plasma pinch comprising:

  • generating plasma;

    passing current through the plasma in a plurality of discrete channels to form respective z-pinches therein which generate at least one hyperbolic magnetic axis within said plasma, each of said channels being disposed within the plasma and containing a respective set of nested closed magnetic surfaces defining a magnetic axis extending in the direction of current flow, said channels and said at least one hyperbolic axis being surrounded by an additional set of nested closed magnetic surfaces within the plasma; and

    forming an average magnetic well encompassing substantially all of said plasma while maintaining a safety factor q having an absolute value less than 1 substantially everywhere in the plasma.

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