Experimental verification of beta-decay-driven sublimation in deuterium-tritium ice held in spherical fusion targets

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.341089· OSTI ID:5398723

Mruzek, M T; Musinski, D L; Ankney, J S

A nonuniform layer of deuterium-tritium (DT) ice inside a spherical inertial confinement fusion (ICF) target held in an isothermal cryogenic environment should be driven toward uniformity by the beta-decay heat of the tritium. Experiments have been performed at KMS fusion to verify this hypothesis. Two major conclusions may be drawn from the initial results: (1) the beta decay of the tritium does deposit energy in the target, as evidenced by melting of DT ice when the target is well insulated from its surroundings, and (2) solid layers of DT ice sublime because of beta-decay heat. Both conclusions are reinforced by companion studies with nonradioactive hydrogen-deuterium (HD) ice in similar targets held under similar experimental conditions.

• Research Organization: KMS Fusion, Inc., 3621 South State Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108
• OSTI ID: 5398723
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 63:7; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700205* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Fuel
Heating
& Injection Systems
BETA DECAY
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
DATA
DECAY
DEUTERIUM
EVAPORATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
INFORMATION
ISOTOPES
LASER TARGETS
LIGHT NUCLEI
NUCLEI
NUMERICAL DATA
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
STABLE ISOTOPES
SUBLIMATION
TARGETS
TRITIUM
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES