Plans for Stellarator Mirror Hybrid Experiments at UW-Madison

Recent advances in stellarator and mirror research motivate the investigation of hybrid configurations that combine the MHD and neoclassical stability of optimized stellarators with simple geometry and local beta confinement in mirrors. A large volume simple cylinder mirror embedded in a relatively small volume racetrack-shaped stellarator has potentially significant advantages for the design of magnetic coils, neutron blankets, plasma divertor, and reactor balance of plant.

This poster outlines advantages and disadvantages of a stellarator mirror hybrid fusion reactor. We also present numerical modelling results and overview plans for a new stellarator mirror hybrid experiment at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The objective is to demonstrate good MHD stability and neoclassical transport simultaneously in a simple large volume plasma column.