Rapid heating for controlled fusion research

The reasons for seeking a means of rapidly heating a plasma to thermonuclear temperatures are discussed, and it is suggested that shock compression by a rapidly increased magnetic field is a possible method. The problems of producing and maintaining such fields are considered, and it is concluded that capacitor discharge banks with the minimum inductance are required for both phases. Finally, the design of low-inductance condenser banks is discussed and it is suggested that the maximum rate of current rise attainable with presently available materials is about 1014 amp/sec.