Levitated dipole

Levitated Dipole

The Levitated Dipole is a type of fusion power device that uses a superconducting ring to create a magnetic field. This field is used to confine a plasma, which is then heated to fusion conditions. The device is unique in that the magnetic field is not created by external coils, but by a levitated magnetic dipole, hence the name.

History

The concept of the Levitated Dipole was first proposed by Akira Hasegawa in 1987. The idea was further developed by Jay Kesner and Miklos Porkolab at the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center.

Design

The design of the Levitated Dipole is based on the natural behavior of plasma in the Earth's magnetic field. The device consists of a superconducting ring, which is levitated inside a vacuum chamber. The ring creates a magnetic field, which confines the plasma. The plasma is then heated to fusion conditions by injecting microwaves or neutral beams.

Advantages and Challenges

The Levitated Dipole has several advantages over other fusion power devices. It is simpler in design, and it can confine a plasma without the need for external coils. However, the device also faces several challenges. The levitation of the superconducting ring requires a complex control system, and the device must be able to withstand the high temperatures and pressures of the plasma.

See Also

• Fusion power
• Plasma (physics)
• Magnetic confinement fusion
• Tokamak
• Stellarator

References

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  Plasma in the Levitating Dipole Experiment

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  Outside the LDX chamber