I will discuss the unique engineering solutions implemented in the machine’s design, along with insights gained from its assembly and initial operation. Drawing from my experience with large mirror experiments, I will highlight critical research topics that could advance us toward practical fusion applications.
During the first experimental campaigns, WHAM achieved a successful ECR breakdown, consistently producing plasma at power levels as low as 10 kW of 110 GHz microwave radiation, and with densities exceeding 1019 m-3. Several observed effects, such as density saturation and dependency on prefill pressure, align well with published data, while others – much higher diamagnetic flux (0.4 mWb), hot electrons with confinement time of ~ 1 s and indications of intense MHD activity during ECH are reported for the first time. Initial experiments with 22 keV deuterium neutral beam injection demonstrated beam attenuation of > 50%, although the fast ion confinement time is currently limited by high charge-exchange losses.
I will cover these findings and outline near-term experimental plans aimed at advancing the experiment’s scientific goals.