A system and apparatus for controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration
(FRC) magnetic topology and conversion of fusion product energies directly to electric
power. Preferably, plasma ions are magnetically confined in the FRC while plasma
electrons are electrostatically confined in a deep energy well, created by tuning
an externally applied magnetic field. In this configuration, ions and electrons
may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused
together by the nuclear force, thus forming fusion products that emerge in the
form of an annular beam. Energy is removed from the fusion product ions as they
spiral past electrodes of an inverse cyclotron converter. Advantageously, the fusion
fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement and energy conversion
system include advanced (aneutronic) fuels.
