PLASMA-CONFINEMENT IN A LEVITATED MAGNETIC DIPOLE

Plasma confinement in the field of a levitated dipole offers many adva ntages for magnetic fusion. MHD stability is obtained from compressibi lity which utilizes the large flux tube expansion of a dipole field. S uch a device could be high beta, steady state, and exhibit good confin ement properties. The large flux expansion will ease the difficulty of the divertor design. The configuration is ideal for electron cyclotro n heating and controlled convective flow patterns may provide a mechan ism for fueling and ash removal.