We present an overview of a novel electromagnetic coil configuration for stellarators and its application to two near-term fusion systems. The novel coil configuration is the planar coil stellarator, able to implement precisely-quasisymmetric 3D magnetic fields using a set of planar, plasma-encircling coils and a set of planar, field-shaping coils situated on a surface surrounding the plasma. This configuration combines the stellarator's advantages of steady-state operation, stability, low recirculating power fraction, and a mature physics basis, with the benefits of using simpler, planar coils which allow for a maintenance scheme leveraging large ports, and the ability to control magnets individually. The initial near-term use case considered is a steady state deuterium–deuterium stellarator neutron source, called Eos. The second near-term use case considered is a deuterium–tritium stellarator fusion pilot plant, called Helios, that would be approximately twice the linear dimension of the Eos design.
This paper presents a novel electromagnetic coil configuration for stellarators, the planar coil stellarator, which can create precise 3D magnetic fields using simpler, planar coils. This design combines the advantages of stellarators, such as steady-state operation and stability, with the benefits of easier maintenance and individual coil control. The paper discusses two near-term use cases: a deuterium-deuterium neutron source (Eos) and a deuterium-tritium fusion pilot plant (Helios).