Enhancing performance of magnetized liner inertial fusion at the Z facility

Journal Article · 20 November 2018 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5054317 · OSTI ID:1487416

Slutz, S. A.  ^[1]; Gomez, M. R.  ^[1]; Hansen, S. B. ^[1]; Harding, E. C. ^[1]; Hutsel, B. T.  ^[1]; Knapp, P. F.  ^[1]; Lamppa, D. C. ^[1]; Awe, T. J. ^[1]; Ampleford, D. J.  ^[1]; Bliss, D. E. ^[1]; Chandler, G. A. ^[1]; Cuneo, M. E. ^[1]; Geissel, M.  ^[1]; Glinsky, M. E. ^[1]; Harvey-Thompson, A. J. ^[1]; Hess, M. H. ^[1]; Jennings, C. A. ^[1]; Jones, B. ^[1]; Laity, G. R. ^[1]; Martin, M. R. ^[1] ; Peterson, K. J.  ^[1]; Porter, J. L. ^[1]; Rambo, P. K. ^[1]; Rochau, G. A. ^[1]; Ruiz, C. L. ^[1]; Savage, M. E. ^[1]; Schwarz, J. ^[1]; Schmit, P. F. ^[1]; Shipley, G.  ^[1]; Sinars, D. B. ^[1]; Smith, I. C. ^[1]; Vesey, R. A. ^[1]; Weis, M. R.  ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Here, the Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion concept (MagLIF) [Slutz et al., Phys. Plasmas 17, 056303 (2010)] is being studied on the Z facility at Sandia National Laboratories. Neutron yields greater than 1012 have been achieved with a drive current in the range of 17–18 MA and pure deuterium fuel [Gomez et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 155003 (2014)]. We show that 2D simulated yields are about twice the best yields obtained on Z and that a likely cause of this difference is the mix of material into the fuel. Mitigation strategies are presented. Previous numerical studies indicate that much larger yields (10–1000 MJ) should be possible with pulsed power machines producing larger drive currents (45–60 MA) than can be produced by the Z machine [Slutz et al., Phys. Plasmas 23, 022702 (2016)]. To test the accuracy of these 2D simulations, we present modifications to MagLIF experiments using the existing Z facility, for which 2D simulations predict a 100-fold enhancement of MagLIF fusion yields and considerable increases in burn temperatures. Experimental verification of these predictions would increase the credibility of predictions at higher drive currents.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 1487416
• Report Number(s): SAND-2018-9532J; 667467
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 25; ISSN 1070-664X
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English