glossary:field-reversed-configuration-frc
CONCEPT dossier

Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC)

Glossary term: Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC)

CONCEPT Fusion Physics

01 Executive_Summary

A compact toroidal plasma confinement scheme in which the poloidal magnetic field is reversed relative to the external field, creating a self-contained, high-beta plasma torus. FRCs are translateable and ideal for both fusion energy and propulsion.

02 Definition

A compact toroidal plasma confinement scheme in which the poloidal magnetic field is reversed relative to the external field, creating a self-contained, high-beta plasma torus. FRCs are translateable and ideal for both fusion energy and propulsion.

Related terms: Compact Toroid Theta Pinch Beta Trapped Flux FRX FRCHX

03 Deep_Dive_Intelligence

Overview

A compact toroidal plasma confinement scheme in which the poloidal magnetic field is reversed relative to the external field, creating a self-contained, high-beta plasma torus. FRCs are translateable and ideal for both fusion energy and propulsion.

Role: Glossary term: Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC)

Entity Type: Concept — Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) is a technical concept or theoretical framework.

Technical Definition

A compact toroidal plasma confinement scheme in which the poloidal magnetic field is reversed relative to the external field, creating a self-contained, high-beta plasma torus. FRCs are translateable and ideal for both fusion energy and propulsion.

Related Concepts: Compact Toroid, Theta Pinch, Beta, Trapped Flux, FRX, FRCHX

05b Related_Topics (2)

Field-Reversed Configuration
usa → russia → china → japan → israel →
Plasma Propulsion
usa → russia → china → japan →

07 Key_Findings

  • ▸ Role: Glossary term: Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC)
  • ▸ Entity Type: Concept — Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) is a technical concept or theoretical framework.
  • ▸ Related Concepts: Compact Toroid, Theta Pinch, Beta, Trapped Flux, FRX, FRCHX

09 Timeline_Mentions (7)

1975

Foundational FRC Research at LANL

Los Alamos National Laboratory establishes the scientific bedrock for Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) physics through the FRX experiment series.

fusion-physics
1975

Exploratory FRC Experiments Initiated at LASL

Formal Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) research begins at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, led by R. K. Linford and W. T. Armstrong.

fusion-physics
1975

Foundational FRC and MTF Research at LANL

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) pioneers research into Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) and Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF), establishing the scientific pedigree for future compact fusion progr

fusion-physics
1990

NASA Space Transportation Propulsion Technology Symposium

Norman Schulze, George Miley, and John Santarius present the Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) as a new approach for space propulsion.

fusion-physics
2013

PRC Yingguang-I FRC Design

The People's Republic of China designs the Yingguang-I device, indicating active research into Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) fusion physics.

fusion-physics
2025

TAE achieves first-ever NBI-only FRC formation

Norm device eliminates theta-pinch. Published in Nature Communications. Targeting aneutronic p-B11 fusion.

fusion-research
1978-1988

The Foundational Science

Physicists at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) conducted the pioneering FRX-A, B, and C experiments. Led by a core team including W.T. Armstrong, R.K. Linford, and M. Tuszewski, this research est
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10 FAQ

What is Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC)? ▾
A compact toroidal plasma confinement scheme in which the poloidal magnetic field is reversed relative to the external field, creating a self-contained, high-beta plasma torus. FRCs are translateable and ideal for both fusion energy and propulsion.
What role does Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) play in the research network? ▾
Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) is classified under the "Fusion Physics" category, serving as Glossary term: Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC). A compact toroidal plasma confinement scheme in which the poloidal magnetic field is reversed relative to the external field, creating a self-contained, high-beta plasma torus. FRCs are...
What evidence supports the Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) assessment? ▾
The intelligence assessment for Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) is supported by 3 primary sources. Key sources include "Field-Reversed Configuration — Wikipedia", "The Princeton Field-Reversed Configuration for Compact Nuclear Fusion Power Plants — OSTI/DOE PAGES (2023)", and "A Field-Reversed Magnetic Configuration and Applications of High-Temperature FRC Plasma — Plasma Physics Reports (Springer, 2011)". These documents provide the evidentiary basis for the analysis.
What is the technical definition of Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC)? ▾
A compact toroidal plasma confinement scheme in which the poloidal magnetic field is reversed relative to the external field, creating a self-contained, high-beta plasma torus. FRCs are translateable and ideal for both fusion energy and propulsion. Related Concepts: Compact Toroid, Theta Pinch, Beta, Trapped Flux, FRX, FRCHX
What is the physics behind Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC)? ▾
A compact toroidal plasma confinement scheme in which the poloidal magnetic field is reversed relative to the external field, creating a self-contained, high-beta plasma torus. FRCs are translateable and ideal for both fusion energy and propulsion. Role: Glossary term: Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) Entity Type: Concept — Field-Reversed...
What external sources document Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC)? ▾
Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) is documented by 3 external sources, including 1 encyclopedia and 2 journal-article. Notable references include "Field-Reversed Configuration — Wikipedia", "The Princeton Field-Reversed Configuration for Compact Nuclear Fusion Power Plants — OSTI/DOE PAGES (2023)", and "A Field-Reversed Magnetic Configuration and Applications of High-Temperature FRC Plasma — Plasma Physics Reports (Springer, 2011)".
How was information about Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) collected? ▾
Information about Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) was collected through open-source intelligence (OSINT) methods, analyzing 3 declassified documents and cross-referencing findings across the research network.
What is the current status of Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC)? ▾
A compact toroidal plasma confinement scheme in which the poloidal magnetic field is reversed relative to the external field, creating a self-contained, high-beta plasma torus. FRCs are translateable and ideal for both fusion energy and propulsion.
How does Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) relate to compact fusion research? ▾
Overview A compact toroidal plasma confinement scheme in which the poloidal magnetic field is reversed relative to the external field, creating a self-contained, high-beta plasma torus. FRCs are translateable and ideal for both fusion energy and propulsion. Role: Glossary term: Field-Reversed...
What documents should I read to learn more about Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC)? ▾
To learn more about Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC), review the 3 primary sources, and related research finding linked in the source documents section of this dossier.

External_References 5 REFS

/pdfs/1979 April 18-20.pdf#page=5 ref
/pdfs/1979 April 18-20.pdf#page=7 ref
/pdfs/1979 April 18-20.pdf#page=8 ref
/pdfs/1979 April 18-20.pdf#page=10 ref
/pdfs/1979 April 18-20.pdf#page=12 ref

Glossary_Sources

→ 1979 April 18-20.pdf → 1979 April 18-20.pdf → 1979 April 18-20.pdf → 1979 April 18-20.pdf → 1979 April 18-20.pdf

External_Primary_Sources 3

patent
US Patent 9,947,420 B2 — Magnetic field plasma confinement for compact fusion power
conference 2019
Recent Achievements in the C-2W Field-Reversed Configuration Experiment — APS DPP19
TAE Technologies
paper 2019-06-05
Formation of hot, stable, long-lived field-reversed configuration plasmas on the C-2W device — Nuclear Fusion
H. Gota et al.

Verified_Primary_Sources 3 SOURCES

secondary en.wikipedia.org encyclopedia
Field-Reversed Configuration — Wikipedia
Verifies: FRC is a plasma device for nuclear fusion; confines plasma on closed magnetic field lines without central penetration; Plasma has form of self-stable torus similar to smoke ring; Compact toroid class; FRCs more elongated than spheromaks; High beta (~1) makes FRC attractive for aneutronic fuels; First observed in late 1950s during theta pinch experiments; attributed to Nicholas C. Christofilos
External Link ↗
primary osti.gov journal-article
The Princeton Field-Reversed Configuration for Compact Nuclear Fusion Power Plants — OSTI/DOE PAGES (2023)
Verifies: PFRC concept: novel RF heating and magnetic mirrors for plasma confinement; PFRC-1 and PFRC-2 heated electrons to >100 eV with 300 ms plasma duration; High-beta FRC configuration enables advanced fuels (D-3He); 1-10 MW reactors suitable for submarines, urban environments, space propulsion
External Link ↗
primary link.springer.com journal-article
A Field-Reversed Magnetic Configuration and Applications of High-Temperature FRC Plasma — Plasma Physics Reports (Springer, 2011)
Verifies: FRC is one of the most promising alternatives of high-beta systems; Review of latest data on FRC and potential applications beyond energy generation; FRC combines properties of open and closed magnetic systems
External Link ↗
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ID: glossary:field-reversed-configuration-frc
Type: concept
Region: glossary
Last updated: Research database snapshot