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PLX-BETHE: Target Formation and Integrated Experiments for Plasma-Jet Driven Magneto-Inertial Fusion (PJMIF)

POSTER

Abstract

The Plasma Liner Experiment (PLX) BETHE collaboration is studying the physics and feasibility of supersonic spherically imploding plasma liners as a novel fusion compression driver. An overview of spherical liner experiments formed from the merging of 36 discrete plasma jets is presented. An interplay between kinetic interpenetration, spherical convergence, and collisional interaction of the jets is observed, resulting in smooth plasma liners up to moderate convergence ratios. Machine configuration, pulsed power operating performance, and experimental diagnostics are described. Progress in integrating the compressing plasma liner with a magnetized hydrogen plasma target is presented, toward a fully integrated subscale PJMIF experiment.

Publication: Publication in preparation for Physics of Plasmas

Presenters

  • Samual J Langendorf

    Los Alamos National Laboratory

Authors

  • Samual J Langendorf

    Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • Feng Chu

    Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • John P Dunn

    Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • Adam E Brown

    Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • Glen A Wurden

    Los Alamos Natlonal Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM, USA

  • Andrew L LaJoie

    University of New Mexico, Los Alamos national Laboratory

  • Mark Gilmore

    University of New Mexico, The University of New Mexico

  • Franklin D Witherspoon

    HyperJet Fusion Corporation

  • Andrew Case

    HyperJet Fusion Corporation

  • Jason Cassibry

    University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Alabama in Huntsviile

  • Aalap C Vyas

    University of Alabama in Huntsville