The magnetized target fusion (MTF) concept is an approach to thermonuclear fusion which is intermediate between the two extremes of inertial and magnetic confinement fusion. A magnetic field is used to suppress electron thermal conduction, but the fusion plasma is heated by compression and inertially confined during the fusion burn phase by an imploding liner or shell. Because the major energy loss mechanisms are suppressed, the work rate required to achieve fusion ignition is greatly reduced, which translates to a greatly reduced requirement for power input to the target. This allows electrical pulsed power machines (and possibly other devices) to be used as drivers. The potential advantages that such a relaxation of driver requirements may offer need to be explored. Thio proposed to dynamically form an MTF target plasma and compress it with a dynamically formed spherical liner, which compresses and heats the target plasma to fusion ignition conditions. This paper will discuss the fundamentals of MTF and the feasibility and technical challenges of Thio’s novel approach to advanced space propulsion.


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    Title :

    Magnetized target fusion for advanced space propulsion


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Space Technology and Applications International Forum - 2001 ; 2001 ; Albuquerque, New Mexico


    Published in:

    AIP Conference Proceedings ; 552 , 1 ; 892-899


    Publication date :

    2001-02-02


    Size :

    8 pages





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



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