Feasibility Studies of Alpha-Particle Channeling in Mirror Machines

The linear magnetic trap is an attractive concept both for fusion reactors and for other plasma applications because of its relative engineering simplicity and high-beta operation. Applying the -channeling technique to linear traps such as mirror machines can benefit this concept by efficiently redirecting -particle energy to fuel ion heating or by otherwise sustaining plasma confinement, thus increasing the effective fusion reactivity. To identify waves suitable for channeling, a rough optimization of the energy extraction rate with respect to the wave parameters is performed. After the optimal regime is identified, a systematic search for modes with similar parameters in mirror plasmas is performed, assuming quasi-longitudinal or quasi-transverse wave propagation. Several modes suitable for -particle energy extraction are identified for both reactor designs and for proof-of-principle experiments.