Development and Applications of Axisymmetric Magnetic Mirror Concepts

Recent results from Russia and Japan have sparked renewed interest in magnetic mirror concepts. The Russian Gas Dynamic Trap experiment achieved 60% beta in an axisymmetric magnetic mirror. The Japanese Gamma-10 experiment demonstrated the suppression of radial transport due to drift-wave turbulence. This paper describes the evolution of magnetic mirrors, identifies a number of methods to stabilize axisymmetric mirrors, and suggests areas of needed research. The simple axisymmetric configuration has applications ranging from a source for material testing with plasma and neutrons to a driver for fusion-fission hybrid to the possibility of a fusion power plant.