Radial Compression of a Compact Toroid Induced by a Magnetic Field
�A partially ionized, weakly magnetized plasma (typical of MHD generators) flows along the outer spherical chamber and are located around the inner chamber into which a compact torus is introduced. The azimuthal drift E<sub>r</sub>B inside the outer chamber induces a strong magnetic field B<sub>p</sub> with an intensity of several tens Teslas. The field intensity B<sub>p</sub> is controlled by inward directed radial electric field E<sub>r</sub>. The field B<sub>p</sub> in the inner chamber becomes antiparallel to the external magnetic field B<sub>em</sub>. After the establishment of the configuration of the magnetic field with B<sub>p</sub> ~ 20 T (in the middle plane), the field-reversed configuration (FRC) is introduced by a magnetic wave generator. The rotating magnetic field (RMF) inside the magnetic mirror (inner chamber) induces an azimuthal current inside the FRC. This current produces a magnetic field B<sub>j</sub> of tens Teslas. This field is antiparallel to the field B<sub>p</sub>. The interaction between the magnetic fields B<sub>p</sub> and B<sub>j</sub> leads to the radial compression of the introduced FRC. As a result of magnetic compression, the product of the density and energy confinement time is about 1.72 ×� 10<sup>19</sup> s/m<sup>3</sup>, which is close to a level of ~10<sup>20</sup> s/m<sup>3</sup> assumingly necessary for the operation of the reactor. Detailed analyses show that the compressed plasma is very stable, the kinetic stability condition is satisfied (S*/ε ~ 0.28), and the ratio α is very low (~8.6 × 10<sup>–2</sup>). Owing to these parameters, the most destructive regimes n = 1 and 2 become safe.