Particle dynamics and confinement in moving multi-mirror

Abstract

The moving multi-mirror (MMM) concept mitigates axial losses in magnetic mirrors by using inward-propagating multi-mirror sections to transport escaping particles back toward the central cell. Single-particle simulations are used to establish the underlying dynamics, while a modified rate-equation model provides quantitative estimates of the resulting confinement enhancement. It is found that the steady-state outgoing flux can be robustly suppressed by several orders of magnitude. The analysis uncovered confinement challenges in the MMM concept, indicating that additional scattering processes are required in both the central cell and the MMM sections to achieve the desired confinement.