PRODUCTION AND APPLICATION OF DENSE PENNING TRAP PLASMAS

A new paradigm for producing well-confined, dense-thermonuclear plasma s is described. The convergence of a radial beam distribution of a Pen ning-trap-confined plasma produces a dense inertially confined non-neu tral plasma. The equilibrium, stability, classical transport, and part icle-handling properties of such a concept are developed. The applicat ion of this approach to controlled fusion using a pure electron plasma to form a central virtual cathode in which ions are electrostatically confined is discussed. On one hand, extreme plasma control is require d, placing the major uncertainty on issues of machine precision. On th e other hand, development is characterized by the manufacture and test ing of extremely small and inexpensive systems. Thus, it would seem th at a timely experimental test of this concept would be ineluctable. Su ccess at such experiments might indicate an alternate path to practica l fusion applications.