The Magnetic-Mirror Approach

A linear machine — simple geometry, direct conversion, and the plugging challenge Kronos's burner addresses.

Strength

Linear, direct conversion

Challenge

End plugging

The magnetic mirror confines plasma in a straight field, avoiding disruptions and enabling direct energy conversion, at the cost of end losses that must be plugged. Modern tandem-mirror physics solves the historical instabilities, and high-field superconductors make the required plug fields attainable.

The Kronos burner is a modern tandem mirror, with the plug-density requirement (n_p/n_c ≈ 16) as its honest open item.