High-gain volume ignition for inertial confinement fusion (ICF)
- University of New South Wales, Kensington 2033 (Australia)
Since 1976, volume ignition calculations of pellet-fueled inertial confinement fusion have shown very high fusion gains due to the strong temperature increases caused by self-heating. This phenomenon was first reported in 1978 (Hora & Ray) and subsequently named the ``Wheeler modes.`` The very low optimum initial temperatures ({approx}1 keV) and the fuel burn of up to 80% permit gains of {gt}100, for compression of D-T to 2000--10,000 times the solid state for total input driver energy of a few MJ per pulse. The simple, smooth density and temperature profiles---unlike those of spark ignition---indicate it may be a faster and easier route to pellet fueling for a fusion power reactor capable of low-cost energy production. {copyright} 1994 {ital American} {ital Institute} {ital of} {ital Physics}
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 166007
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-931048--
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 318; ISSN 0094-243X; ISSN APCPCS
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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