Study of the fast-ion acceleration due to the beam-driven modes in C-2W

TAE Technologies’ current experimental device C-2W (also known as “Norman”) produces and sustains a steady state field reversed configuration plasma through neutral beam injection, edge biasing, and a robust real-time plasma control system [1-3].



In past experiments on TAE’s previous experimental device, C-2U, thermal ion acceleration by a beam-driven wave was observed [4]. The resulting D-D fusion rate was dramatically enhanced compared to the expected thermonuclear rate. Since this process transfers beam energy directly to thermal ions, bypassing the electron channel and related loss mechanisms, it would be beneficial to harness this process in a reactor.



In C-2W experiments with mixed hydrogen and deuterium beam injection, a significant fraction of fast deuterium ions are observed well beyond the neutral beam energy of 15 keV using an electromagnetic neutral particle analyzer [5]. Recent improvements in FRC performance have enabled the observation of beam-driven modes over a wider range of parameters. We will also report on recent experimental analyses based on these observations.