Physics Considerations in the Design of NCSX

[摘要] Compact stellarators have the potential to make steady-state, disruption-free magnetic fusion systems with beta approximately 5% and relatively low aspect ratio (R/ < 4.5) compared to most drift-optimized stellarators. Magnetic quasi-symmetry can be used to reduce orbit losses. The National Compact Stellarator Experiment (NCSX) is designed to test compact stellarator physics in a high-beta quasi-axisymmetric configuration and to determine the conditions for high-beta disruption-free operation. It is designed around a reference plasma with low ripple, good magnetic surfaces, and stability to the important ideal instabilities at beta approximately 4%. The device size, available heating power, and pulse lengths provide access to a high-beta target plasma state. The NCSX has magnetic flexibility to explore a wide range of equilibrium conditions and has operational flexibility to achieve a wide range of beta and collisionality values. The design provides space to accommodate plasma-facing components for divertor operation and ports for an extensive array of diagnostics.

[发布日期] 2002-10-09 [发布机构] Princeton University. Plasma Physics Laboratory.

[关键词] Magnetic Surfaces;Heating;70 Plasma Physics And Fusion Technology;Stellarators;Divertors