Abstract An air-core tokamak having high symmetry for providing an increased ratio of plasma radius over the major radius, stability, high B and minimizing field error, as well as a low aspect ratio, high accessibility to the plasma, and separation of the plasma column from the proximity of the material of the vacuum container wall and limiters. The toroidal confinement device has an air-core toroidal solenoid disposed along the inside diameter of the plasma column for producing a toroidal electric field, and spaced apart, toroidal conductors disposed along the outside diameter of the plasma column for compensating for the return flux of said solenoid and providing a transverse magnetic field for stably confining the plasma.
The invention of claim 1 in which said column of plasma particles has high symmetry for providing an increased ratio of plasma radius in said column in cross-section over the major radius of said endless axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1 in which said toroidal confinement device has a low aspect ratio.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention of claim 1 in which said toroidal confinement device has a single, cylindrical, vacuum container around said column of plasma particles wherein said column is separated from the proximity of the material of said container wall by said stable confinement of said plasma particles in said column.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 1 having a retractable pneumatically operated limiter for said column, and means for compressing said plasma after said limiter is retracted.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
103 words
The method of stably confining a toroidal column of plasma at high temperature in a uniform axial magnetic field while said column has a plasma current therein along an endless axis in a limiter, comprising the steps of energizing a magnetic solenoid around Said column to produce said uniform magnetic field, energizing a solenoid disposed along the inside diameter of said column and simultaneously energizing spaced apart annular conducting rings disposed along the outside diameter of said column to provide an electric field in said plasma and a vertical magnetic field therein for stabilizing said plasma against transverse motion, and retracting said limiter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 6 in which said steps are followed by the step of magnetically compressing said plasma for raising the temperature of the plasma in said column.