Compact Toroid
Glossary term: Compact Toroid
01 Executive_Summary
A class of plasma configurations (including FRCs and spheromaks) in which the plasma is confined in a toroidal geometry without external toroidal field coils. Compact toroids are translateable and high-beta.
02 Definition
A class of plasma configurations (including FRCs and spheromaks) in which the plasma is confined in a toroidal geometry without external toroidal field coils. Compact toroids are translateable and high-beta.
03 Deep_Dive_Intelligence
Overview
A class of plasma configurations (including FRCs and spheromaks) in which the plasma is confined in a toroidal geometry without external toroidal field coils. Compact toroids are translateable and high-beta.
Role: Glossary term: Compact Toroid
Entity Type: Concept — Compact Toroid is a technical concept or theoretical framework.
Technical Definition
A class of plasma configurations (including FRCs and spheromaks) in which the plasma is confined in a toroidal geometry without external toroidal field coils. Compact toroids are translateable and high-beta.
07 Key_Findings
- ▸ Role: Glossary term: Compact Toroid
- ▸ Entity Type: Concept — Compact Toroid is a technical concept or theoretical framework.
- ▸ Related Concepts: FRC, Spheromak
09 Timeline_Mentions (10)
PPPL Compact Toruses Symposium
PPPL symposium consolidating compact toroid (FRC/spheromak) research.
fusion-researchFoundational FRX Paper Published
W. T. Armstrong and others at LANL publish 'Field-reversed experiments (FRX) on compact toroids,' codifying FRC formation physics.
fusion-physicsFifth Symposium on the Physics and Technology of Compact Toroids
Hosted by Mathematical Sciences Northwest (MSNW), this workshop addressed FRC and Spheromak formation, focusing on slower generation methods and scaling to reactor sizes.
fusion-physicsReagan launches SDI — Shiva Star re-directed to 'Star Wars'
SDI directed energy: x-ray laser, FEL, NPB, Brilliant Pebbles. Shiva Star → MARAUDER precursor.
defense-programsFRX-C Modified for Plasma Translation
The FRX-C device at Los Alamos is modified into FRX-C/T to study the axial translation of hot, compact toroid plasmas.
fusion-physicsMARAUDER program begins — AFRL fires compact toroid plasmoids as weapons
Shiva Star facility. 100 billion g acceleration. Explicitly NOT fusion. Same facility as FRCHX. The critical link.
defense-programsMARAUDER (August 1993): USAF compact toroid weapon, 100 billion g acceleration, Shiva Star, went dark mid-1990s
USAF Phillips Lab compact toroid weapon. 100 billion g acceleration. 9.5 MJ Shiva Star. 'Not a fusion program' — weapons. Physics identical to FRC. Went dark mid-1990s. Lineage: SHIVA I → MARAUDER → F
uap-researchAvramenko plasmoid weapon (April 1995): Russian plasma ABM tested, Ogonek/Belitsky DTIC document, 'Doverie' experiment proposed
Russian plasma weapon tested. Phased arrays focus 10 MW at 50 km altitude. Projectile deflected and self-destructed in tests. Yeltsin proposed joint US-Russia 'Doverie' experiment ($300M). Boris Belit
uap-researchEvolution to Plasmoid Thruster Experiment (PTX)
The NASA FAST experiment evolves into the Plasmoid Thruster Experiment (PTX), continuing research into compact toroid acceleration for propulsion.
fusion-physicsFESAC compact toroids report
DOE advisory report on the role of FRCs and spheromaks in the U.S. fusion portfolio.
fusion-research10 FAQ
What is Compact Toroid? ▾
When did Compact Toroid appear in the research timeline? ▾
What does the deep dive analysis reveal about Compact Toroid? ▾
External_References 5 REFS
Glossary_Sources
Type: concept
Region: glossary
Last updated: 2026-08-09