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Seminar Avalanche Fusion - Moein Borghei
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Europe/Zurich
30/7-018 - Kjell Johnsen Auditorium (CERN)
Description
Abstract: Avalanche Energy is developing the Orbitron, a compact fusion device based on a hybrid magneto-electric confinement approach. In this concept, hundreds of kilovolts are applied across a coaxial electrode configuration to ionize and heat the fusion fuel. The resulting electric field is combined with an externally applied magnetic field to form a magnetic mirror configuration, providing radial confinement of charged particles while reducing losses through the ends. The ions are also driven into E×B rotation, which reduces their orbit size. The resulting supersonic rotation further suppresses axial mirror losses and shear-stabilizes low-frequency interchange modes.
In this talk, we review six generations of machines designed, fabricated, and tested in-house over four years, highlighting the evolution of the confinement approach. We describe the development of compact vacuum bushing technology from 50 kV to 300 kV and how theoretical work shifted the design from unmagnetized to partially magnetized ions. Rotational shear driven by a pulsed cathode produced plasma densities approaching 10¹² cm⁻³. Following improvements in plasma purity, Doppler spectroscopy measured plasma rotation and an apparent ion temperature of approximately 1 keV.
We conclude with near-term goals, including measurement of a triple product of 10¹⁹ keV·s/m³ and tritium operation at the FusionWERX facility in Richland, Washington, as well as a development roadmap beginning with neutron sources and radioisotope production and progressing toward fusion power generation