Showing papers by "Roger Alan Vesey published in 1998"

Generating High-Brightness Light Ion Beams for Inertial Fusion Energy

Abstract: Light ion beams may be the best option for an Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) driver from the standpoint of ei%ciency, standoff, rep-rate operation and cost. This approach uses high-energy-density pulsed power to efficiently accelerate ions in one or two stages at fields of 0.5 to 1.0 GV/m to produce a medium energy (30 MeV), high-current (1 MA) beam of light ions, such as lithium. Ion beams provide the ability for medium distance transport (4 m) of the ions to the target, and standofl of the driver from high- yield implosions. Rep-rate operation of' high current ion sources has ako been demonstrated for industrial applications and couId be applied to IFE. Although (hese factors make light ions the best Iong-teml pulsed- power approach to IFE, light-ion research is being suspended this year in favor of a Z-pinch-driven approach which has the best opport lnity to most-rapidly achieve the U.S. Department of Energy sponsor's goal of high-yield fusion. This paper will summarize the status and most recent results of the light-ion beam program at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), and document the prospects of light ions for future IFE driver development.

Pulsed Power Fusion Program Update

Abstract: The US Department of Energy has supported a substantial research program in Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) since the early 1970s. Over the ensuing 25 years, pulsed power approaches to inertial fusion have remained of interest primarily because of the high energy, efficiency, and relatively low cost of the technology when compared to the mainline ICF approach involving large glass lasers. These compelling advantages, however, have been tempered with the difficulty in concentrating the energy in space and time to create the high energy and power density required to achieve temperatures useful in indirect drive ICF. Since the Beams '96 meeting, the situation has changed dramatically, and extremely high X-ray power (290 TW) and energy (1.8 MJ) have been produced in fast z-pinch implosions on the Z accelerator. These sources have been utilized to heat hohlraums to >150 eV and have opened the door to important ICF capsule experiments. Although light ion beams offer a long term potential for fusion energy, we are suspending our ion beam research this year to maximize progress with z pinches.

Pulsed power fusion program update

Abstract: The US Department of Energy has supported a substantial research program in Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) since the early 1970s. Over the ensuing 25 years, pulsed power approaches to inertial fusion have remained of interest primarily because of the high energy, efficiency, and relatively low cost of the technology when compared to the mainline ICF approach involving large glass lasers. These compelling advantages, however, have been tempered with the difficulty in concentrating the energy in space and time to create the high energy and power density required to achieve temperatures useful in indirect drive ICF. Since the Beams '96 meeting, the situation has changed dramatically, and extremely high X-ray power (290 TW) and energy (1.8 MJ) have been produced in fast z-pinch implosions on the Z accelerator. These sources have been utilized to heat hohlraums to >150 eV and have opened the door to important ICF capsule experiments. Although light ion beams offer a long term potential for fusion energy, we are suspending our ion beam research this year to maximize progress with z pinches.

The prospect for fusion energy with light ions

Abstract: Intense ion beams may be the best option for an inertial fusion energy (IFE) driver. While light ions may be the long-term pulsed power approach to IFE, the current economic climate is such that there is no urgency in developing fusion energy sources. Research on light ion beams at Sandia will be suspended at the end of this fiscal year in favor of Z-pinches studying ICF target physics, high yield fusion, and stewardship issues. We document the status of light ion research and our understanding of the feasibility of scaling light ions to IFE.