Closed Magnetic Systems

Closed magnetic field configurations are those in which the field lines do not enter or leave the plasma confinement region, and thus offer the advantage of having no ends from which the plasma might escape. The simplest such configuration is a torus. Fusion devices containing toroidal plasmas have emerged as the dominant experimental facilities. We discuss here several of their distinguishing features as they relate to a conceivable energy generating device, emphasizing in particular, the tokamak concept.