Challenge End-Plugged FRC Concept

A fusion concept is proposed in which plug mirror cells are applied at the ends of a field-reversed configuration (FRC) to improve overall confinement by reducing the end-loss rate in the scrape-off layer. As such this combines a closed “toroidal” system with an open “mirror” system. Arguments are presented that the plug cells would produce a dramatic increase in confinement of the FRC itself, as well as being significantly better than a stand-alone mirror system. This approach is based on more-or-less existing technology and does not require pulsed, high-density operation.