Progress and issues with pulsed magnetic fusion

Pulsed magnetic fields can generate and contain plasma at temperatures and densities needed for controlled fusion. The required transfers of magnetic flux and energy are subject to losses in magnetic diffusion and to interference due to the fusion environment of high-energy neutrons and plasma radiation. After reviewing some background of the past seventy years, the effects of diffusion, neutron damage, and surface plasma generation are described, and continuing challenges for pulsed magnetic fusion are discussed.