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The Compact Torus Accelerator: A driver for ICF

Conference · · Fusion Technol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:7190418

The authors have carried out further investigations of technical issues associated with using a compact torus (CT) accelerator as a driver for inertial confinement fusion (ICF). In a CT accelerator, a magnetically-confined, torus-shaped plasma is compressed, accelerated and focused by two concentric electrodes. They evaluate an accelerator point design with a capacitor bank energy of 9.2 MJ. Modeled by a O-D code, the system produces a xenon plasma ring with a radius of 0.73 cm, a velocity of 4x10/sup 7/m/s, and a mass of 4.4 ..mu..g. The plasma ring energy available for fusion is 3.8 MJ, a 40% driver efficiency. Ablation and magnetic pressures of the point design, due to CT acceleration, are analyzed. Pulsed-power switching limitations and driver cost analysis are also presented. Our studies confirm the feasibility of producing a ring to induce fusion with acceptable gain. However, some uncertainties must be resolved to establish viability.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab., P.O. Box 5508, L-480, Livermore, CA 94550
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
7190418
Report Number(s):
CONF-860652-
Journal Information:
Fusion Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Fusion Technol.; (United States) Vol. 10:3; ISSN FUSTE
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English