Modeling of Present and Proposed Magnetized Target Fusion Experiments

During Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF), also known as Magnitoye Obzhatiye (MAGO) in Russia, preheated and magnetized target plasma is hydrodynamically compressed to fusion conditions. Because the magnetic field suppresses losses by electron thermal conduction in the fuel during the target implosion heating process, compression may take longer than traditional inertial confinement fusion. Hence, "liner-on-plasma" compressions, magnetically driven using relatively inexpensive electrical pulsed power, may be practical. A candidate target plasma, MAGO, was originated in Russia and is now under joint development by the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Experimental Physics (VNIIEF) and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Other possible target plasmas now under investigation at LANL include wall-supported, deuterium-fiber-initiated Z-pinches and compact toroids. Such target plasmas are undergoing detailed computational modeling. Also undergoing computational modeling are liner-on-plasma compressions of such target plasmas to fusion conditions. Experimental and computational investigation of liner implosions suitable for MTF continues. Results will be presented.