Simulation of Alpha Particles in Rotating Plasma Interacting With a Stationary Ripple

Superthermal E × B rotation can provide magnetohydrodynamic stability and enhanced confinement to axisymmetric mirrors. However, the rotation speed has been limited by phenomena at end electrodes. A new prediction is that rotation might instead be produced using a magnetic ripple and alpha particle kinetic energy, in an extension of the alpha channeling concept. The interaction of alpha particles with the ripple results in visually interesting and practically useful orbits.