Confinement of translated field‐reversed configurations

The confinement properties of translating field‐reversed configurations (FRC) in the FRX‐C/T device [Phys. Fluids 2 9, ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ (1986)] are analyzed and compared to previous data without translation and to available theory. Translation dynamics do not appear to appreciably modify the FRC confinement. Some empirical scaling laws with respect to various plasma parameters are extracted from the data. These are qualitatively similar to those obtained in the TRX‐1 device [Phys. Fluids 2 8, 888 (1985)] without translation and with a different formation method. Translation with a static gas fill offers new opportunities such as improved particle confinement or refueling of the FRC particle inventory.