An Emerging Technology for Fusion: The Spherical Pinch

Abstract

Several years of research and development in a particular plasma configuration designated by the name of Spherical Pinch has led to a device that provides short-term industrial benefits and long- term nuclear fusion energy benefits. The former benefits derive from its exploitation as a soft X-ray generator for microlithography and as 9 neutron generator for nondestructive detection of hidden defects and corrosion in metallic structures. The latter benefits derive from its potential to approach fusion breakeven conditions in a spherical configuration which is essentially a modification of the well known inertial confinement fusion configuration. This paper highlights the milestones of the research program on the Spherical Pinch carried out in the past several years, up to the present status of the Spherical Pinch concept both as a nuclear fusion device and an industrial tool.