Axial confinement in the Novatron mirror machine

Abstract The Novatron magnetic mirror fusion reactor concept features significant advantages. These include stability against MHD interchange and kinetic drift cyclotron loss cone modes, axisymmetry, and minimized radial particle drifts and neoclassical losses. For achieving a ratio <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" overflow="scroll"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>Q</mml:mi> <mml:mtext>⩾</mml:mtext> <mml:mn>30</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> of fusion power to heating power, axial particle confinement is uniquely designed to rely on the simultaneous use of three distinct forces; magnetic mirrors, electrostatic potentials, and ponderomotive forces in a tandem-like configuration. Axial confinement physics theory is here analyzed and compared to earlier mirror configurations. Scenarios for D-T, D-D, and catalyzed D-D fusion plasmas are outlined.