Use of a genetic algorithm for compact stellarator coil design

A new global optimization technique for designing stellarator coils has bee n developed and applied to the design of coils for the National Compact Ste llarator Experiment. Using this technique coil sets were found with fewer c oils and lower current densities than those obtained with traditional metho ds. A new coil design procedure which uses a genetic algorithm as the core optimization method is described and the resulting advanced coil designs pr esented.