Abstract: A plasma containment device for generating and sustaining a ball of plasma therein including an enclosure; a primary electromagnet for generating a primary magnetic field in said enclosure; gas jets positioned at terminal end portions of the primary magnet pole pieces for providing gas under pressure to said enclosure during initial pressurization and for preventing touching contact between electromagnet opposite pole pieces and a plasma ball generated in said enclosure; gas discharge apparatus for selectively sealing said enclosure and for discharging gas from said enclosure; gas ionization apparatus for ionizing gas to form a plasma ball; and plasma energizing apparatus for selectively providing energy to said plasma ball, and for maintaining a large circular electric current in said plasma ball.