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Formation of a field reversed configuration for magnetic and electrostatic confinement of plasma

  • US 9,265,137 B2
  • Filed: 05/13/2009
  • Issued: 02/16/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for confining a plasma of ions and electrons within a chamber comprising the steps of:

  • magnetically confining a plurality of plasma ions within a magnetic field formed within a chamber and having a field reversed configuration (FRC);

    forming an electrostatic field within the chamber having a polarity and magnitude that is confining to plasma electrons; and

    electrostatically confining a plurality of plasma electrons within the electrostatic field formed within the chamber,wherein both electrostatic confinement of plasma electrons and magnetic confinement of plasma ions occur simultaneously within the chamber;

    wherein the step of forming the electrostatic field includes;

    applying a magnetic field to the chamber,forming a FRC magnetic field within the chamber about a rotating plasma of ions and electrons, andinjecting neutralized ion beams into the FRC,wherein the magnitude and polarity of the electrostatic field is a function of the magnitude of the applied magnetic field and the velocity of the injected neutralized ion beams.

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