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(THP1/18) Ignitor Physics Assessment and Confinement Projections

W. Horton¹⁾, F. Porcelli²⁾, P. Zhu¹⁾, A. Aydemir¹⁾, Y. Kishimoto³⁾, T. Tajima^1)
 
1) Institute for Fusion Studies, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, U.S.A.
²⁾ INFM and Dipartimento di Energetica, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
³⁾ Plasma Science and Fusion Center, M.I.T., Cambridge, MA, U.S.A.

Abstract.  An independent assessment is presented of the physics of Ignitor, a physics demonstration experiment for achieving thermonuclear ignition (where fusion alpha heating compensates for all forms of energy losses). Simulations show that a pulse of particle power up to 10-20 MW is produced for a few seconds. Crucial issues are the production of peaked density profiles over several energy confinement times, the control of current penetration for the optimization of ohmic heating, and sawtooth avoidance. The presence of a 10-20 MW ion cyclotron radio frequency system and the operation of a high-speed pellet injector are considered essential to provide added flexibility in order to counter unexpected, adverse plasma behavior.

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