Numerical Simulation of Fusion Plasma Behavior in a Magnetic Nozzle for Laser Fusion Rocket

In this paper, we focus on methods to control a steering angle more effectively for a Laser Fusion Rocket (LFR). We propose a new coil configuration which is virtually one ring coil formed by a lot of small square coils and these coils make a flexible magnetic nozzle to control the reflection of fusion plasma for obtaining thrust in the space. We investigate the fusion plasma behaviors in this magnetic nozzle by using 3D hybrid simulation code and evaluate the thrust efficiency and the steering angle for several coil configurations. We found that new coil configuration proposed has desirable features from technical view points.