Open Confinement Systems and the D-³He Reaction

The special synergisms between open-ended magnetic confinement systems and the D-³He fuel cycle are discussed, both in general terms and through examples. Properties of open systems that make them especially suited for this fuel cycle include their ability to stably confine high-beta plasmas, their compatibility with electrostatic direct converters, and their linear geometry, which can greatly simplify the practical attainment of high magnetic fields. The example systems given include a “linear collider” and thermal barrier tandem mirror systems for both terrestrial and space travel applications. It is concluded that satisfying the demanding physics requirements posed by the D-³He fuel cycle may be more readily possible through the use of open-ended magnetic systems than it will be through the use of closed systems of the tokamak genre.