The Topolotron - A high beta device with topological stability

The concept of topological or structural stability is introduced and its importance in the magnetic confinement of plasmas is discussed. Topological stability requires the presence of a pair of limit cycles in the magnetic field configuration. This paper deals with the design of an experimental device possessing limit cycles. The design includes a high beta (beta about equal to 1), high density (about 10 to the 16th), hot (about 100 eV) hydrogen plasma which is to be compressed by a factor of about 5 in a toroidal device of 25 cm average major radius with a capacitor bank rise time of less than 2 microsec. Two shaped toroidal coils with opposing currents and the poloidal compression coils have been designed to give a pressure balance equilibrium and establish the limit cycles. This device could be used to determine the physical significance of topological stability in plasma confinement.