The gas dynamic trap (GDT) is a magnetic mirror variety with a long mirror-to-mirror distance far exceeding the effective ion mean free path for scattering into the loss cone, with a large mirror ratio (R ∼ 100, R = B_max/B_min is the ratio of magnetic field values at the mirror and at the trap center), and with axial symmetry. Under these conditions, in contrast to the conventional magnetic mirror, the plasma confined in a GDT is isotropic Maxwellian. The plasma loss rate through the ends is governed by a set of simple gas-dynamic equations, hence the name of the device. The plasma lifetime in a GDT is of the order of LR/V_Ti, where L is the mirror-to-mirror distance and V_Ti is the ion thermal velocity. Thus, increasing both the mirror ratio and the length of the device can, in principle, make the plasma lifetime sufficient for fusion applications. This paper discusses plasma confinement and heating results from the Novosibirsk GDT facility and examines prospects for using the GDT to develop a high flux neutron source for fusion materials testing and for driving subcritical fission reactors.

Keywords: gas dynamic trap, fusion neutron source, magnetic mirror PACS: 28.52.−s, 52.50.−b, 52.55.Jd (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2016.09.037967 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2017/5/d/ 000407895100004 2-s2.0-85026913799 2017PhyU...60..509I Citation: Ivanov A A, Prikhodko V V "Gas dynamic trap: experimental results and future prospects" Phys. Usp. 60 509–533 (2017) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Received: 4th, July 2016, revised: 20th, September 2016, accepted: 30th, September 2016 Оригинал: Иванов А А, Приходько В В «Газодинамическая ловушка: результаты исследований и перспективы» УФН 187 547–574 (2017); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2016.09.037967