Magnetically Protected First Wall for a Laser-Induced Thermonuclear Reaction

摘要

A modest magnetic field (3-kG) is found to protect a cylindrical wall (240-cm radius) against both the alpha pulse and the DT debris plasma from a laser-induced thermonuclear microexplosion (100-MJ). Our calculations indicate that the Debye lengths are sufficiently small compared to our minimum possible dimensions so that both the a particles and the debris behave collectively. Our explosion com¬presses the magnetic field to as much as 21 kG against a negligible-resistance coil or cylindrical sleeve. Expansions from 102 to 222 cm are possible depending on the residual gas density. The expanding plasmas are demonstrated to be weakly stable over a large part of their expansion. The instabilities that do develop are slow, allowing time for adequate pressure relief at the ends.