THE MAGO SYSTEM

Results of experimental and theoretical investigations are presented i n the frame of magnetohydrodynamic implosion conception MAGnitnoye Obz hatiye or magnetic compression (MAGO). This approach suggests magnetiz ed deuterium-tritium (DT)-plasma preliminary heating and its subsequen t adiabatic compression by liner imploded by a magnetic field. DT-plas ma preliminary heating is performed using a special plasma chamber MAG O where magnetized plasma is accelerated in an annular nozzle up to ve locities similar to 100 cm/mu s and heated in arising collisionless sh ock waves. Subsequent plasma compression and bringing of its character istics to the ignition can be realized using explosive magnetic genera tors with energy 100-500 MJ. This paper discusses the plasma chamber M AGO, physical effects essential for its operation, their relation with other plasma physics areas, as well as problems arising in the MAGO s ystem. Due to its cylindrical symmetry with sole toroidal magnetic fie ld component and essential role of magnetohydrodynamics, the MAGO syst em and its problems are similar to these in related systems, such as Z -pinches, plasma accelerators, and liner systems.