Effect of loss-cone-like scattering transport on particle confinement and rotation in the field-reversed theta pinch

The Field-Reversed Theta Pinch (FRTP) represents a promising confinement approach to fusion power. However some experiments encountered rapid particle losses and plasma disruption after a period of increasing rotation frequency. The present research developed theoretical models to explain the phenomena and simultaneously explore ways to reduce losses and spin-up. To account for the rapid particle losses, an ion transport theory was proposed based on the existence of a loss-cone-like region in H-P/sub phi/space (or a corresponding one in velocity space) for the FRTP. This loss region was observed to have an effect on particle losses analogous to that of the conventional mirror loss cone, although now the loss region varies with radial position.