Multi-Group Fusion Reactivities for Maxwellian and Non-Maxwellian Ion Velocity Distributions

Abstract

Ion velocity distributions in magnetically confined thermonuclear fusion plasmas under reacting conditions can deviate considerably from Maxwellian distributions. However, fusion reactivities used for power balances in fusion reactors are generally available for two interacting Maxwellian species at the same temperature. In the present work we report total fusion reactivities as well as fractional contributions to these from different ion energy groups, for a number of representative non-Maxwellian ion velocity distributions. Both isotropic as well as anisotropic distributions have been considered. The effect of unequal ion kinetic temperatures on the fusion reactivity has also been considered.