Apparatus for simultaneously generating an intense toroidal magnetic field and an intense poloidal magnetic field in a compact aspect- ratio configuration and quasi-stationarily in time, characterized in that in the inner part of the electrical winding which generates the magnetic field (namely in that part of such winding which is nearest to the toroidal axis of symmetry) the turns of the conductor are tilted approximately 45 degrees relative to the meridian plane. Such said toroidal and respectively poloidal magnetic fields generate largely self- compensating mechanical loads on the winding, thus producing a highly optimized distribution of mechanical stresses in the apparatus, as a result also of favorable spring-like properties of the winding's turns, such properties originating in the turns being tilted. The said stress configuration in the apparatus is also compatible with the fitting of adequately sized cooling ducts between the winding's turns, whenever required. In thermonuclear applications, the toroidal field is needed to stabilize the plasma column in the toroidal bore, and the poloidal magnetic flux variation with the time can be exploited to drive the bulk of the required plasma current. For non-thermonuclear applications, instead, the poloidal magnetic field is the most valuable asset, in that it is produced in a region of space easily accessible from the outside, and because it is stronger than it would otherwise be possible to generate under quasi-stationary conditions.
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