Design Point for a Spheromak Compression Experiment

Two principal issues for the spheromak concept remain to be addressed experimentally: formation efficiency and confinement scaling [1]. We are therefore developing a design point for a spheromak experiment that will be heated by adiabatic compression, utilizing the CORSICA and NIMROD codes as well as analytic modeling with target parameters R\textunderscore initial$=$0.3m, R\textunderscore final$=$0.1m, T\textunderscore initial$=$0.2keV, T\textunderscore final$=$1.8keV, n\textunderscore initial$=$1019m-3 and n\textunderscore final$=$ 1021m-3, with radial convergence of C$=$3. This low convergence differentiates the concept from MTF with C$=$10 or more, since the plasma will be held in equilibrium throughout compression. We present results from CORSICA showing the placement of coils and passive structure to ensure stability during compression, and design of the capacitor bank needed to both form the target plasma and compress it. We specify target parameters for the compression in terms of plasma beta, formation efficiency and energy confinement.\\[4pt] [1] Woodruff, Miller Cost sensitivity analysis for a 100 MWe modular power plant and fusion neutron source J. Fus. Eng. Design (2014)