PARTICLE ORBITS IN A LOW-DENSITY STELLARATOR

摘要

A preliminary theoretical analysis is made of the ion and electron orbits to be expected in the Stellarator, on the assumption that the magnetic fields produced in the plasma are negligible, and that the plasma is quiescent. Neglect of the secondary magnetic field is valid only if the naterial energy density is very snail compared to the magnetic energy density. The analysis indicates that in this situation ions and electrons at a kinetic temperature of some 108 degrees K will, on the average, stay within the Stellarator for more than a second, provided that the plasma space charge provides a radial electrical field of about 1000 to 10,000 volts per cm to produce rotation about the tube axis. Non-radial space charges will be kept small by currents along the lines of force around the Stellarator. A large fraction of the 3.5 Mev recoil α particles resulting from the D-T reaction can probably be retained in the tube for a second or more. The uniformity and symmetry required for the magnetic field should be readily obtainable.