Minimum size ignitor experiments

A design study of a compact ignition device in which it is possible to program the position and the current of the plasma column, in order to optimize its heating cycle, is presented. The considered cycles involve primarily Ohmic heating, adiabatic compression with or without variation of the plasma major radius, and the possibility of thermal insulation by a cold plasma layer surrounding the hot plasma column. The proposed magnet configuration is compatible with the addition of supplementary heating systems as they may be needed in order to approach ignition conditions.