Progress in inertial confinement fusion with light ion beams at Sandia National Laboratories
Light ion beams offer the possibility of a very efficient and low-cost driver for Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF). The energy deposition is straightforward since the ions deposit their energy in a dense plasma that prevents microscopic instabilities from producing preheating electrons. The difficulty with light ions has been the focusability. In 1984, a proof-of-principle experiment on Proto I, at the same current density and charge density required for inertial fusion on the Particle Beam Fusion Accelerator II (PBFA II), showed that intense ion beams can be focused to the required divergence with the correct local physics. In 1985, diode and accelerator technology was examined on PBFA I at the same current and diode radius required for fusion on PBFA II. PBFA II finished its construction phase with a successful first shot on December 11, 1985. The accelerator is now being characterized and brought to full operational status.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5101047
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-86-1073C; IAEA-CN-47/B-II-4; CONF-861106-7; ON: DE87000977
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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