Uniform liquid-fuel layer produced in a cryogenic inertial fusion target by a time-dependent thermal gradient

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, A (Vacuum, Surfaces and Films); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.576542· OSTI ID:6920287

Gram, R Q; Wittman, M D; Immesoete, C; Kim, H; Craxton, R S; Sampat, N; Swales, S; Pien, G; Soures, J M ^[1]; Kong, H ^[2]

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1. Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, 250 East River Road, Rochester, New York 14623-1299 (USA)
2. Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul (Korea)

Targets for inertial confinement fusion are cooled by cryogenic helium gas jets in an environment of room-temperature thermal radiation in an effort to obtain uniform condensed deuterium--tritium (DT) layers. A time-dependent thermal gradient obtained by ohmic heating of the upper nozzle is found to produce a transient state of uniformity in liquid DT just above its freezing point. A replaceable assembly of nozzles with heaters and thermometers is designed to be implemented in the target chamber of the OMEGA laser. Targets are held between the nozzles by spider webs which are attached to an independently positioned fixture. A flow of He of 6{times}10{sup {minus}5} g/s is sufficient to obtain the uniform DT layer, producing a background pressure in a test chamber of 0.5 mTorr. Targets are characterized interferometrically in two orthogonal views. Interferograms are compared with computed templates to determine the thickness and uniformity of the condensed layer.

• DOE Contract Number: FC03-85DP40200
• OSTI ID: 6920287
• Journal Information: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, A (Vacuum, Surfaces and Films); (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, A (Vacuum, Surfaces and Films); (USA) Vol. 8:4; ISSN JVTAD; ISSN 0734-2101
• 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
CONFINEMENT
COOLING
DESIGN
DEUTERIUM TRITIDE
DIMENSIONS
FABRICATION
FUELS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
LASER TARGETS
LAYERS
LIQUID FUELS
NOZZLES
OMEGA FACILITY
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
TARGETS
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
THERMONUCLEAR FUELS
THICKNESS
TRITIDES
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS