Plasma Liner Formation and Compression Experiments on PLC

To make fusion practical at small scale, an efficient method for repetitively compressing the FRC to fusion gain conditions is required. A promising approach that is being explored at the MSNW facility employs a plasma shell to radially compress and heat the FRC plasmoid to fusion conditions. The energy that is required for the implosion compression and heating of the FRC plasmoid is derived from both the radial kinetic energy of the plasma liner used to compress it, and the axial kinetic energy of the FRC's motion prior to compression. The design, construction testing of the large array (32) of MPD plasma sources has been completed and initial testing of the liner formation and implosion are underway. Liner masses of 3 mg have been formed in Xenon and have been accelerated to a velocity of 36 km/s employing a theta pinch compression coil at 0.5 T. In these experiments roughly half of the compression bank energy is transferred to the plasma liner. Details of the liner dynamics and future plans for FRC compression with the liner will be discussed.