Abstract
A unique characteristic of the quasi-poloidal/isodynamic transport optimization strategy is that it can lead to stellarators that deviate from the usual “doughnut” shape; i.e., they can have extended relatively straight cylindrical sections of plasma (connected by corner regions). This offers a number of potential design advantages, including simplified coil geometries, novel divertor approaches, low bootstrap current (less potential for ELMs and disruptions), more acceptable wall heat fluxes, and demountable blankets for reactors. The STELLOPT approach has been used to develop optimized configurations of this type for two and four field periods with aspect ratio <R>/<a> in the range of 8 to 16.
