A Study on Confinement of High Temperature Plasma

Abstract

During the early stages of research on magnetic confinement fusion, plasma instabilities had to be overcome. It was revealed that macroscopic plasma instabilities had a detrimental effect on plasma confinement. Prior to 1958's Atoms for Peace Meeting, experimental and theoretical research focused mostly on how to suppress or control nuclear weapons. Localized exchange modes and ripping modes were identified during this time period as two distinct types of instabilities. The Comptes rendus hebdomadaires des séances de l'Académie des sciences and French physicists have been actively working in this area for some time. Despite these attempts, it continues to be a focus of inquiry and, perhaps, cause for concern because of the sheer volume of work it created. Many scientists believe that instabilities in magnetic confinement fusion are no longer a significant obstacle because of the advances made. Fusion power generation relies heavily on the capacity to contain extremely hot plasmas.