Fusion Reactor Configurations

Abstract

High power density magnetic confinement fusion concepts have recently become prominent because they are perceived by some groups to have more potential for developing into commercially competitive fusion reactors than the (more advanced) low power density concepts. The reasons for this prominence are illustrated by comparing the properties of a conceptual design of a fusion reactor based on the leading low power density concept, the tokamak, with designs based on leading high power density concepts: the RFP, the FRC and the spheromak.