Fundamental theory of sub-ignition heating mechanisms in thermonuclear field reversed configuration systems for commercial electricity production
ORAL
Abstract
Helion’s Trenta prototype compressed Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) plasmas to thermonuclear fusion conditions, reaching 9 keV plasma temperatures [1]. Helion’s 7th generation system, Polaris, is now operating with the goal of demonstrated higher temperature operation and direct electricity recovery.
FRC plasmas are fundamentally high-beta and if heated through pulsed, adiabatic compression, they operate in a unique collisional regime that supports both thermonuclear fusion conditions as well as a non-equilibrium ion to electron temperature ratio and non-Maxwellian ion temperature distribution during compression. Further, high-beta magnetized FRC plasma compression systems can directly recover particle energy through MHD expansion driving magnetic expansion.
In the presented work, past theoretical FRC analyses [2,3] will be expanded upon from fundamental theoretical and empirical scaling relationships. In this work, the impact of thermonuclear fusion products on the sub-ignition FRC dynamics will be investigated including direct ion heating [4], length dynamics of FRCs during thermonuclear fusion, and enhanced fusion reaction rates due to non-Maxwellian ion populations that have been measured in FRC plasmas [5,6].
[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] Kirtley, D., Milroy, R. Fundamental Scaling of Adiabatic Compression of Field Reversed Configuration Thermonuclear Fusion Plasmas. J Fusion Energy 42, 30 (2023).
[3] Lewis, S., Kirtley, D. and Pancotti A. Fundamental theory of the direct magnetic energy recovery in a thermonuclear field reversed configuration system. APS DPP (2024).
[4] Galambos, J. D., et al. (1984). “Discrete nuclear elastic scattering effects in Cat-D and D–³He fusion plasmas.” Nuclear Fusion, 24, 739.
[5] Y. Xue et al., “Mechanisms behind the surprising observation of supra-thermal ions in NIF’s burning plasmas,” Sci. Bulletin 70, 359 (2025) .
[6] B.I. Squarer et al., “Enhancement of fusion reactivities using non-Maxwellian energy distributions,” Phys. Rev. E 109, 025207 (2024).
FRC plasmas are fundamentally high-beta and if heated through pulsed, adiabatic compression, they operate in a unique collisional regime that supports both thermonuclear fusion conditions as well as a non-equilibrium ion to electron temperature ratio and non-Maxwellian ion temperature distribution during compression. Further, high-beta magnetized FRC plasma compression systems can directly recover particle energy through MHD expansion driving magnetic expansion.
In the presented work, past theoretical FRC analyses [2,3] will be expanded upon from fundamental theoretical and empirical scaling relationships. In this work, the impact of thermonuclear fusion products on the sub-ignition FRC dynamics will be investigated including direct ion heating [4], length dynamics of FRCs during thermonuclear fusion, and enhanced fusion reaction rates due to non-Maxwellian ion populations that have been measured in FRC plasmas [5,6].
[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] Kirtley, D., Milroy, R. Fundamental Scaling of Adiabatic Compression of Field Reversed Configuration Thermonuclear Fusion Plasmas. J Fusion Energy 42, 30 (2023).
[3] Lewis, S., Kirtley, D. and Pancotti A. Fundamental theory of the direct magnetic energy recovery in a thermonuclear field reversed configuration system. APS DPP (2024).
[4] Galambos, J. D., et al. (1984). “Discrete nuclear elastic scattering effects in Cat-D and D–³He fusion plasmas.” Nuclear Fusion, 24, 739.
[5] Y. Xue et al., “Mechanisms behind the surprising observation of supra-thermal ions in NIF’s burning plasmas,” Sci. Bulletin 70, 359 (2025) .
[6] B.I. Squarer et al., “Enhancement of fusion reactivities using non-Maxwellian energy distributions,” Phys. Rev. E 109, 025207 (2024).
–
Presenters
-
David Kirtley
Helion
Authors
-
David Kirtley
Helion