Advances in Confinement Study in the Gas Dynamic Trap Experiment

The development of fusion energy will require materials resilient to harsh bombardment by energetic neutrons and plasma. The Gas Dynamic Trap (GDT) concept in Novosibirsk is proposed as a neutron and plasma source to test and validate appropriate materials. Recent results showed plasma beta of 0.6, provide a solid basis for extrapolating to a fusion relevant neutron source. Relative to previous magnetic mirror neutron sources, the GDT concept operates with simpler axisymmetric magnets and at higher efficiency. Plasma in the GDT device operating at the present time in the Budker Institute includes two ion components: 250 eV maxwellian warm ions and anisotropic hot ion population produced by 25 keV 5 MW oblique neutral beam injection.