Analysis focuses on fusion reactor performance with D-3He fuel, indicating the viability concerns based on confinement times.
The performance requirements of fusion reactors based on FRC adiabatic compression with a D- ³\! He fuel are discussed. Assuming thermonuclear reaction rates, confinement times exceeding 10 ms are required for peak magnetic fields below 25 T. The typical thermodynamic cycle of such reactors in current/flux variables is computed. The fact that most magnetic energy is channeled to vacuum magnetic energy, instead of heating the plasma, translates into a very elongated thermodynamical cycle. The consequences for the viability of this type of reactors are discussed.
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Nicolas et al. (2026) studied this question.
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