Design of the Compact Auburn Torsatron

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Abstract
The Compact Auburn Torsatron (CAT) is a low-aspect ratio, continuous coil, toroidal magnetic fusion device. It has two main helical coils: an l = 2, m = 5 coil and an l = 1, m = 5 coil. The machine has a major radius of 53 cm, an average plasma radius of 11 cm, and a steady-state magnetic field of 1 kG. It was designed using an optimization scheme that employs the coil positions and coil winding laws as parameters. Once CAT is operational, the research program will focus on the study of magnetic flux surfaces and ion cyclotron heating. The choices and compromises encountered in building a low-aspect ratio torsatron are discussed.