Mirror reactor studies

The design of three types of mirror reactors is examined: (1) a fusion mirror reactor using 150-keV neutral-beam injectors based on the acceleration of negative ions; (2) a fusion-fission mirror reactor for the production of fissile fuel at minimum cost in blankets containing uranium or thorium; and (3) two classes of small mirror reactors represented by the fusion energy research facility (FERF) for material and system testing and by the experimental power reactor (EPR) with a minimum size permitting the inclusion of a blanket and shield inside the coil windings. The fusion reactor is discussed in terms of blanket and blanket replacement, neutral beam injector, plasma direct energy converter, and a parametric analysis for mirror characterization. It is shown that the rapid particle loss from the ends gives a fusion mirror reactor with classical end losses a low Q value, small mirror reactors having room for a shield only can be used for material testing (FERF), and a fusion-fission EPR would produce considerable amounts of fissile fuel as well as net power.