Energy from Inertial Fusion

Abstract

Fusion is potentially a safe clean source not limited by political boundaries. Magnetic and inertial fusion share this promise, but there are differences between them. An inertial fusion power plant is based on different physics and technology from a magnetic fusion power plant and therefore presents somewhat different benefits and challenges. The facilities required to demonstrate inertial fusion power are potentially much smaller. In this article we describe concepts for such a power plant, its beneficial features and a low-cost reactor test facility for developing practical fusion power.

A systems study of an RF power source for a 1 TeV next linear collider based upon the relativistic-klystron two-beam accelerator

“…These concepts art: supported by detailed simulations. Finally, in regards to the technology maturity issue, we note that significant advances in induction linac technology have already been made and are being made in intense electron beam (6,7) and heavy ion fusion (8) programs. What is required is technology development specifically tailored to linear collider power source issues.…”

Shock Ignitiion: A New Approach to High Gain/Yield Targets for the National Ignition Facility

“…gains ~15 and fusion yields ~20MJ at laser drive energies of ~1.3MJ. In particular, because of the inherent low efficiency of laser indirect-drive targets, it is not clear that they will directly scale to fusion power applications [2].…”

“…Complete burning of a 50:50 mix of DT fuel through the fusion reaction 2 H + 3 H → n + 4 He + 17.6MeV would release a specific energy of 3.38x10 11 J/g. The fusion burn of ignited fuel is limited by hydrodynamic expansion but, under appropriate conditions, the fuel mass inertia can provide the confinement necessary for the target to achieve thermonuclear energy gain.…”

“…The fusion burn of ignited fuel is limited by hydrodynamic expansion but, under appropriate conditions, the fuel mass inertia can provide the confinement necessary for the target to achieve thermonuclear energy gain. The gain of an ICF target is defined as the ratio of the fusion energy produced to the driver energy incident on the target and is a key parameter in determining economic viability of future inertial fusion energy power plants [2].…”

Kinetic magnetization by fast electrons in laser-produced plasmas at sub-relativistic intensities

“…The obtained results revealed the characteristics of strong currents observed in capacitor-coil magnetic generation schemes and open a new approach to fundamental studies related to magnetized plasmas. Studies of physical processes accompanying the interaction of sub-relativistic nanosecond laser pulses with dense targets started a long time ago (see, for example, books 1,2 ). Nowadays, plenty of analytical models and numerical schemes are used routinely for the prediction and explanation of experimental data dealing with fast electron generation, spontaneous plasma magnetization, dense matter heating, and many other phenomena.…”