Enhanced plasma performance in C-2W advanced beam-driven field-reversed configuration experiments

October 2024 | H. Gota | Nuclear Fusion | Paper

TAE Technologies’ fifth-generation fusion device, C-2W (also called ‘Norman’), is the world’s largest compact-toroid device and has made significant progress in field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasma performance.

Enhanced Ion Heating Regimes in a Beam-Driven Field-Reversed Configuration

October 2024 | M. Nations | APS DPP 2024 | Poster

Experiments on C-2W demonstrate enhanced ion heating through beam-driven waves, where fast-ion energy is directly transferred to thermal ions via wave-particle interactions, resulting in sustained high ion temperatures and improved plasma performance.

Upgraded C-2W scrape off layer helium line ratio spectroscopy system

October 2024 | J. MacFarlane | APS DPP 2024 | Poster

The upgraded helium line ratio spectroscopy system on C-2W aims to improve measurements in low-density regions, addressing challenges like gas jet divergence and enhancing diagnostics for better alignment with Thomson Scattering and interferometry data.

An Overview of Accomplishments From Experiment and Theory at TAE Technologies

October 2024 | S. Dettrick | APS DPP 2024 | Poster

TAE Technologies reports advancements in plasma performance and stability for C-2W through optimized neutral beam injection, new diagnostic tools, and enhanced modeling frameworks, demonstrating improved ion heating, extended plasma lifetimes, and effective wall conditioning.

In Situ Measurements of Neutral Beam Divergence with Doppler Shift Spectroscopy on C-2W

October 2024 | Y. Musthafa | APS DPP 2024 | Poster

TAE Technologies’ C-2W device sustains steady-state FRC plasmas using neutral beam injection, edge biasing, and real-time control, with Doppler-shift spectroscopy providing non-intrusive beam characterization to optimize energy capture and plasma performance.

Electromagnetic fluctuation properties in C-2W Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) deuterium and mixed D/H plasmas

October 2024 | L. Schmitz | APS DPP 2024 | Poster

TAE’s C-2W FRC shows key differences in fluctuation properties between hydrogen and deuterium plasmas, with increased magnetic fluctuations in FRC and low ion-scale fluctuations in the core. These findings, consistent with simulations, inform the design of diagnostics for the upcoming Copernicus device.