James Burry ’26, Physics

James Burry ’26

Major

Physics

Project Title

The Effect of Quadrupole Magnetic Fields on Fast Electrons in Magnetic Mirror Machines

Presentation Link

View James's Presentation

Minor(s): History

The Princeton Field Reversed Configuration (PFRC) is a fusion concept that offers safe, clean energy in a much smaller footprint than Tokamak designs. By using Deuterium and Helium-3 fuel, the PFRC avoids neutron emissions, which reduces machine degradation and radiation by 1000x per unit of power produced compared to traditional reactors. Its smaller size and simpler engineering allow for faster development and for the exploration of niche applications, though the physics involved becomes more complex as a result. One key aspect that remains to be better understood is the electron energy distribution within the confined plasma. Using an X-ray spectrometer, I worked alongside fellow interns and Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) researchers to collect data on the effect of changing the magnetic field shape on high energy electron populations. I then used conversion software to translate this X-ray data into energy profiles and further processed the data for comparative purposes using MATLAB tools. Working on the PFRC was incredibly rewarding precisely because so little is understood about it. I plan to continue this study through my junior independent work and perhaps in the future as a researcher at a national laboratory like PPPL or elsewhere in the fusion ecosystem.