Favorable Collisional Demixing of Ash and Fuel in Magnetized Inertial Fusion

Journal Article · 03 December 2018 · Physical Review Letters

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.235002 · OSTI ID:1526270

Ochs, Ian E. ^[1]; Fisch, Nathaniel J. ^[2]

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1. Princeton Univ., Princeton, NJ (United States); Princeton University - Cornell University
2. Princeton Univ., Princeton, NJ (United States)

Magnetized inertial fusion experiments are approaching regimes where the radial transport is dominated by collisions between magnetized ions, providing an opportunity to exploit effects usually associated with steady-state magnetic fusion. Here, the low-density hotspot characteristic of magnetized liner inertial fusion results in diamagnetic and thermal frictions, which can demix thermalized ash from fuel, accelerating the fusion reaction. For reactor regimes in which there is a substantial burnup of the fuel, increases in the fusion energy yield on the order of 5% are possible.

• Research Organization: Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: FG02-97ER25308; NA0003764
• OSTI ID: 1526270
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 23 Vol. 121; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English