Apparatus for verification of beta heating driven layer uniformity in solid deuterium--tritium

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.575235· OSTI ID:5222507

Mruzek, M T; Ankney, J S; Decker, D N

A solid deuterium--tritium fuel layer within a spherical inertial confinement fusion target will be driven uniform by ..beta..-decay energy if the target is held in an isothermal environment. The apparatus we constructed to verify this process provides an isothermal and radiation-tight environment. Heat exchange between the target (approx. =20 K) and the environment (4.2 K) is regulated by controlling the helium exchange gas through a specially constructed manifold. A unique optical system maintained at low temperatures allows direct observation of the fuel layer uniformity. Tritium containment in the event of a target failure is assured by tungsten--inert gas welding of the stainless-steel structure. This system conveniently fits a standard vendor supplied 100-l Dewar, and is designed to minimize boiloff and cooldown losses by means of an efficient helium vapor counterflow system. We have also incorporated a vibration isolation system to permit holographic interferometry imaging and evaluation of the fuel layers.

• Research Organization: KMS Fusion, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106
• OSTI ID: 5222507
• Journal Information: J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A; (United States), Journal Name: J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A; (United States) Vol. 6:3; ISSN JVTAD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700205* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Fuel
Heating
& Injection Systems
700208 -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Inertial Confinement Technology
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CONFINEMENT
DEUTERIUM
HEATING
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
INTERFEROMETRY
ISOTOPES
LASER TARGETS
LIGHT NUCLEI
MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
PLASMA HEATING
RADIOISOTOPES
STABLE ISOTOPES
TARGETS
TRITIUM
ULTRALOW TEMPERATURE
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES