Fundamental Scaling of Adiabatic Compression of Field Reversed Configuration Thermonuclear Fusion Plasmas

Helion’s Trenta prototype compressed Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) plasmas to thermonuclear fusion conditions, reaching 9 keV plasma temperatures [1]. FRC plasmas are fundamentally high-beta and if heated through pulsed, adiabatic compression, they operate in a unique collisionality regime that supports both thermonuclear fusion conditions as well as maintains an ion to electron temperature ratio.

In the presented work, a theoretical analysis of FRC compression to generator-relevant fusion conditions is derived from fundamental scaling laws. This work includes independent ion and electron heating [2], radiation losses [3], empirical particle transport scaling [4], fusion reaction rates, ion temperature distribution evolution, and D, T, and He-3 fuels.

As will be shown, for all operating conditions above 20 keV, a high-beta D-He-3 FRC outperforms a low-Beta D-T plasma in terms of electrical and fusion power output.

[1] Kirtley, D et al. “Thermonuclear Field Reversed Configuration plasmas in the Trenta prototype” IEEE Pulsed Power Conference and Symposium on Fusion Energy (2021).

[2] Intrator, T. P., et. al. Physics of Plasmas (2008). ​

[3] Dawson, John M., Fusion, part B (1983).

[4] Votroubek G, Slough J, et al. Fusion Energy (2008).