Progress in light ion fusion

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5617868

Cook, D L

Advances in ion beam theory, diagnostics, and experiments in the past two years have enabled efficient generation of intense proton beams on PBFA II, and focusing of the beam power to 5.4 TW/cm{sup 2} averaged over the surface of a 6-mm-diameter target. Improvements in the ion diode magnetic field uniformity and strength produced a proton beam with good azimuthal symmetry. The beam characteristics were diagnosed using conical targets in concert with inner-shell excitation x-ray cameras and ion pinhole cameras. Asymmetry was measured to be less than 15 percent, a level adequate for beginning ion deposition experiments. Initial studies of the beam/target interaction have begun with focused proton beams. Planar, conical, and cylindrical targets have been used in the experiments. These tests have provided information on ion beam power density, uniformity, and energy deposition. Substantial improvements in power density beyond the present level require a more magnetically stiff ion beam and lower ion divergence. Future applications of pulsed power based particle accelerators have been explored through conceptual studies. A conceptual design of a Laboratory Microfusion Facility driven by light ion beams has incorporated line induction voltage adding, transit-time ion bunching, pulse shaping, and long-distance transport. The Light Ion Beam Reactor Assessment (LIBRA) design effort has shown that a light ion driven energy producer can offer competitive electricity costs.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5617868
• Report Number(s): SAND-91-0102C; CONF-910505--56; ON: DE91012019
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700208* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Inertial Confinement Technology
ACCELERATORS
CHARGED PARTICLES
ICF DEVICES
ION BEAM FUSION REACTORS
ION BEAM TARGETS
IONS
LITHIUM IONS
PARTICLE BEAM FUSION ACCELERATOR
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
TARGETS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS