Talk Title: Axial confinement of cylindrically compressed warm dense plasmas by a pulsed magnetic mirror field
Abstract: Cylindrical implosion compresses fusion fuel into a high-energy-density plasma, initiating thermonuclear reactions and presenting a potential pathway toward fusion energy production. The lack of axial confinement, however, leads to end-loss of fuel plasma. In the first part of my talk, I will provide an overview of high energy density plasma physics and the experimental capabilities at the Laboratory of Plasma Studies (LPS). In the second part, I will discuss the use of a pulsed magnetic mirror field for axial confinement of cylindrically compressed warm dense plasmas and present recent experimental and simulation results that support this confinement scheme.
(There will be food starting a few minutes before 12 pm.)