Radial Compression of a Compact Toroid Induced by a Magnetic Field
�A partially ionized, weakly magnetized plasma (typical of MHD generators) flows along the outer spherical chamber and are located around the inner chamber into which a compact torus is introduced. The azimuthal drift ErB inside the outer chamber induces a strong magnetic field Bp with an intensity of several tens Teslas. The field intensity Bp is controlled by inward directed radial electric field Er. The field Bp in the inner chamber becomes antiparallel to the external magnetic field Bem. After the establishment of the configuration of the magnetic field with Bp ~ 20 T (in the middle plane), the field-reversed configuration (FRC) is introduced by a magnetic wave generator. The rotating magnetic field (RMF) inside the magnetic mirror (inner chamber) induces an azimuthal current inside the FRC. This current produces a magnetic field Bj of tens Teslas. This field is antiparallel to the field Bp. The interaction between the magnetic fields Bp and Bj leads to the radial compression of the introduced FRC. As a result of magnetic compression, the product of the density and energy confinement time is about 1.72 ×� 1019 s/m3, which is close to a level of ~1020 s/m3 assumingly necessary for the operation of the reactor. Detailed analyses show that the compressed plasma is very stable, the kinetic stability condition is satisfied (S*/ε ~ 0.28), and the ratio α is very low (~8.6 × 10–2). Owing to these parameters, the most destructive regimes n = 1 and 2 become safe.