Generation of field-reversed configurations via neutral beam injection

November 2025 | JT. Roche | APS DPP 2025 | Paper

We report evidence of successful generation of field-reversed configuration plasmas by neutral beam injection. This is achieved by trapping the steady-state beams in an initial seed plasma, hence providing a direct source of toroidally directed energetic ion current …

Magnetic feedback control of a Field Reversed Configuration

December 2025 | J.A. Romero | Nuclear Fusion | Paper

The Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) is a highly diamagnetic plasma confinement device used in nuclear fusion research. FRC’s exhibit an internal region of weak magnetic field with ideal conditions to reach the high temperature required to burn high Z aneutronic fuels …

Probing suprathermal electrons in C-2W with x-ray energy spectra

November 2025 | Y. Zhou | Physics of Plasmas | Paper

A silicon drift-detector-based pulse-height x-ray energy spectrometer has been recently deployed on C-2W to investigate the distribution of suprathermal electrons. Measurements from this spectrometer reveal x-ray photons with energies of several kiloelectronvolts …

Advanced neutral beam injection in a field-reserved configuration plasma

September 2025 | J.B. Titus | Nuclear Fusion | Paper

Neutral beam injection has been shown to create field-reversed configuration plasmas on C-2W. Recent advances in optimization and control of eight neutral beam injectors help deliver customized current drive for a plethora of plasma regimes.

Wave coupling and propagation from a fast-wave antenna in the lower hybrid range of frequencies

July 2025 | J. Larson | Journal of Plasma Physics | Paper

A set of experiments were conducted on the Large Plasma Device (LAPD) at UCLA to test the operational principles of a traveling wave antenna of the comb-line type. This antenna was designed to launch helicon waves (fast waves in the lower hybrid range of frequencies) on DIII-D.