Ignition of a Magnetically Confined D-T Plasma

Abstract

This study extends Lawson's analysis on the ignition criteria for a magnetically confined plasma by introducing conduction losses from heat transfer theory rather than through the 3nkT/TE term (k = Boltzmann constant, T = temperature, TE = energy confinement time). It is found that ignition depends on the strength of the magnetic field that confines the plasma, but it is independent of the plasma particle density. As a consequence, an increase of reaction energy through higher particle density leads to higher conduction losses, which can be offset only by higher magnetic fields. It is found that a magnetically confined plasma cannot reach ignition with the magnetic fields considered in present normal size machines.