Field reversed configurations

TLDR

Field‑reversed configurations are compact toroidal plasmas with negligible toroidal magnetic field, studied for three decades but only recently intensively due to their high‑beta fusion potential, macroscopic stability, and promising confinement without gross instabilities. The study aims to present experimental and theoretical results on the formation, equilibrium, stability, and confinement of field‑reversed configurations, to preserve these favorable properties in a less kinetic regime, and to develop slow‑formation techniques and refine confinement scaling laws. The authors analyze experimental data and theoretical models of formation, equilibrium, stability, and confinement of field‑reversed configurations.

Abstract

The review is devoted to field reversed configurations and to the related field reversed mirrors; both are compact toroids with little or no toroidal magnetic field. Experimental and theoretical results on the formation, equilibrium, stability and confinement properties of these plasmas are presented. Although they have been known for about three decades, field reversed configurations have been studied intensively only in recent years. This renewed interest is due to the unusual fusion reactor potential of these high beta plasmas and also to their surprising macroscopic stability. At the present time, field reversed configurations appear to be completely free of gross instabilities and show relatively good confinement. The primary research goal for the near future is to retain these favourable properties in a less kinetic regime. Other important issues include the development of techniques for slow formation and stability, and a clearer assessment of the confinement scaling laws.