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Title: Fabrication of cryogenic inertial-confinement-fusion targets using target free-fall technique. Report No. 2-82

Abstract

Techniques for fabricating cryogenic inertial confinement fusion targets (i.e., spherical shells containing a uniform layer of DT ice) are investigated using target free-fall concept. Detection and characterization of the moving targets are effected by optoelectronic means, of which the principal is an RF ac-interferometer. This interferometer system demonstrates, for the first time, the speed capabilities of the phase-modulation ac-interferometry. New techiques developed for handling, holding, launching, and transporting targets are also described. Results obtained at both room and cryogenic temperatures are presented.

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Illinois Univ., Urbana (USA). Charged Particle Research Lab.
OSTI Identifier:
6765223
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 6765223; Legacy ID: DE83000598
Report Number(s):
UCRL-15463
ON: DE83000598
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; LASER TARGETS; FABRICATION; CRYOGENICS; FUEL PELLETS; INTERFEROMETERS; MATERIALS HANDLING; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; PELLETS; TARGETS 060201* -- Fusion Fuels-- Fabrication & Testing-- (1980-1987)

Citation Formats

Kim, K., and Murphy, M.J.. Fabrication of cryogenic inertial-confinement-fusion targets using target free-fall technique. Report No. 2-82. United States: N. p., 1982. Web. doi:10.2172/6765223.
Kim, K., & Murphy, M.J.. Fabrication of cryogenic inertial-confinement-fusion targets using target free-fall technique. Report No. 2-82. United States. doi:10.2172/6765223.
Kim, K., and Murphy, M.J.. Thu . "Fabrication of cryogenic inertial-confinement-fusion targets using target free-fall technique. Report No. 2-82". United States. doi:10.2172/6765223. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6765223.
@article{osti_6765223,
title = {Fabrication of cryogenic inertial-confinement-fusion targets using target free-fall technique. Report No. 2-82},
author = {Kim, K. and Murphy, M.J.},
abstractNote = {Techniques for fabricating cryogenic inertial confinement fusion targets (i.e., spherical shells containing a uniform layer of DT ice) are investigated using target free-fall concept. Detection and characterization of the moving targets are effected by optoelectronic means, of which the principal is an RF ac-interferometer. This interferometer system demonstrates, for the first time, the speed capabilities of the phase-modulation ac-interferometry. New techiques developed for handling, holding, launching, and transporting targets are also described. Results obtained at both room and cryogenic temperatures are presented.},
doi = {10.2172/6765223},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1982},
month = {Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1982}
}

Technical Report:

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  • A new technique has been developed which is capable of fabricating uniform cryogenic targets for use in inertial confinement fusion. The essence of the technique is to directly wet a target with a cold helium gas jet, which results in freezing of the DT mixture contained in the target. A controlled amount of current is pulsed through a heater wire surrounding the target, giving rise to fast evaporation and refreezing of the DT-condensate into a uniform layer. Experiments, which have been performed with D/sub 2/-filled glass microshells, successfully produce uniform layers of both liquid and solid D/sub 2/ inside themore » glass shells. A set of data illustrating the technique is presented and analyzed.« less
  • Techniques for charging inertial confinement fusion targets using electron beam are investigated. A brief review of the various possible charging techniques is presented, along with a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of each. The reasons for selecting the electron beam charging and a physical picture of the charging mechanism are described. Experimental results are presented and compared with the theoretical predictions.
  • A technique was developed for fabricating spherical shell targets for implosion physics experiments with diameters up to several millimeters and with unique structural features such as thin metal layers or texture on the inside surface. We start with a spherical bead or thin shell of poly(alpha-methylstyrene) (PAMS) of the desired size, which can be textured by laser photoablation or overcoated with a thin layer of diagnostic material. The mandrel is next overcoated with plasma polymer (CH) 2{endash}50 {mu}m thick. Upon heating, the PAMS depolymerizes to a gaseous monomer which diffuses through the thermally stable plasma polymer coating leaving a hollowmore » shell. Shells produced by this technique are uniform in wall thickness, and highly spherical. If the PAMS mandrel is textured, the mandrel topology is transferred to the inner wall of the plasma polymer shell. Likewise, thermally stable coatings on the mandrel are transferred to the inner shell wall. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Vacuum Society}« less
  • A numerical model has been developed to describe the thermally induced behavior of a liquid layer of hydrogen isotopes inside a spherical Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) target and to calculate the far-field temperature gradient which will sustain a uniform liquid layer. This method is much faster than the trial-and-error method previously employed. The governing equations are the equations of continuity, momentum, energy, mass diffusion-convection, and conservation of the individual isotopic species. Ordinary and thermal diffusion equations for the diffusion of fluxes of the species are included. These coupled equations are solved by a finite-difference method using upwind schemes, variable mesh,more » and rigorous boundary conditions. The solution methodology unique to the present problem is discussed in detail. in particular, the significance of the surface tension gradient driven flows (also called Marangoni flows) in forming uniform liquid layers inside ICF targets is demonstrated. Using the theoretical model, the values of the externally applied thermal gradients that give rise to uniform liquid layers of hydrogen inside a cryogenic spherical-shell ICF target are calculated, and the results compared with the existing experimental data.« less
  • On December 31, 1990, the US Department of Energy entered into a contract with General Atomics (GA) to be the Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) Target Component Fabrication and Technology Development Support contractor. This report documents the technical activities of the period January 1, 1991 through September 30, 1992. During this period, GA was assigned 15 tasks in support of the Inertial Confinement Fusion program and its laboratories. These tasks included Facilities Activation, Staff Development, and Capabilities Validation to establish facilities and equipment, and demonstrate capability to perform ICF target fabrication research, development and production activities. The capabilities developed and demonstratedmore » are those needed for fabrication and precise characterization of polymer shells and polymer coatings. We made progress toward production capability for glass shells, barrier layer coatings, and gas idling of shells. We fabricated over 1000 beam diagnostic foil targets for Sandia National Laboratory Albuquerque and provided full-time on-site engineering support for target fabrication and characterization. We initiated development of methods to fabricate polymer shells by a controlled mass microencapsulation technique, and performed chemical syntheses of several chlorine- and silicon-doped polymer materials for the University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics (UR/LLE). We performed the conceptual design of a cryogenic target handling system for UR/LLE that will fill, transport, layer, and characterize targets filled with cryogenic deuterium or deuterium-tritium fuel, and insert these cryogenic targets into the OMEGA-Upgrade target chamber for laser implosion experiments. This report summarizes and documents the technical progress made on these tasks.« less