[2tankjones]

Both coaxial and planar cycloidal configurations create long plasma filaments that are structured in a way that the middle of the plasma filamensts merge together and spin much faster than the ends of the plasma filaments. In my minds eye (and playing with a rubber gum eraser) The difference in rotation causes the fillaments to entwine around each other causing the characteristic loops to form that when combined make up the plasmoid. I am guessing conservation of angular momentum and conversion of magnetic field energy defines the structure of the resulting plasmoid. The gum eraser always buckled and formed that characteristic plasmoid donut loop at the point where the diameter was smallest. The ends of the filament were moved inward and twisted at a specific rate that corresponded to the loops diameter. (One full twist of the “filament” created one full loop making up the plasmoid with the filaments ends coming closer by the distance of the perimeter of the loop. approximately.) Coaxial DPF does a nice job of spooling a plasma filament into a toroidal shape. I am guessing but not sure that the planar cycloidal DPF would do so as well but be able to do it over a longer time span with a lower peak current and more efficiently getting energy into the plasmoid.

[2tankjones]

I read the article by Dr. Lee from NASA. Good work. General principle of cycloidal plasma collapsing into a toroidal pinch was confirmed. I don’t think the configuration was the best. I guess the quickest and easiest way to find out would be to build several different configurations, test, and follow the data. Hmm.

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