FRC studies on FRX-B

Abstract

Recent experimental studies of Field-Reversed Configurations (FRC) on the FRX-B device have included (1) characterization of FRC formation with regard to loss of bias flux, (2) examination of FRC equilibria through separatrix profiles, (3) formation of FRC's with different end-mirror configurations, and (4) extension of FRC parameter range. Studies on loss of bias flux during the pre-ionization (PI) phase of FRC formation are presented in another paper dedicated solely to PI considerations. Loss of bias flux during the reversal phase of FRC formation is reviewed in the first section of this paper. Use of barrier fields during the reversal phase to enhance trapping of bias flux is included in the third section of this paper. In addition to barrier field studies, results from different mirror configurations are also discussed in the third section. A critical diagnostic for interpretation of the results from the different machine modifications is the excluded-flux probe array. Analysis of excluded-flux measurements to obtain the FRC separatrix profile is described in the second section. Finally, preliminary results of FRX-B operation in an extended range of plasma parameters is briefly discussed in the fourth section

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