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Title: Uniformity analysis for a direct-drive laser fusion reactor

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5267619

We show the results of an analysis of the uniformity for a direct-drive reactor using 20, 32, 60, or 96 beams. Several of these options achieve less than the 1% nonuniformity that is required. These options are considered for the cases where the solid angle fraction of the beam ports is 2% and 8%. The analysis is facilitated by separating the contributions due to the geometrical effects related to the number and orientation of the beams from those due to the spatial profile of the individual beams. Emphasis is placed on the wavelength of the nonuniformities, as the shorter wavelength nonuniformities are more easily smoothed by thermal conduction within the target. The analysis demonstrates that the longer wavelengths can be minimized by suitable choices of geometry and by maintaining beam balance, whereas the shorter wavelength nonuniformities can be reduced by optimizing parameters such as the focal position and the spatial intensity profile of each beam. The tolerances required for beam-to-beam energy balance will be discussed.

Research Organization:
Rochester Univ., NY (USA). Lab. for Laser Energetics
DOE Contract Number:
AC08-80DP40124
OSTI ID:
5267619
Report Number(s):
DOE/DP/40124-15; CONF-831203-108; ON: DE84006539
Resource Relation:
Conference: 10. symposium on fusion engineering, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 5 Dec 1983; Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English