Direct drive with the argon fluoride laser as a path to high fusion gain with sub-megajoule laser energy

Obenschain, S. P.; Schmitt, A. J.; Bates, J. W.; Wolford, M. F.; Myers, M. C.; McGeoch, M. W.; Karasik, M.; Weaver, J. L.

doi:10.1098/rsta.2020.0031

Title: Direct drive with the argon fluoride laser as a path to high fusion gain with sub-megajoule laser energy

Journal Article · 11 October 2020 · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. A, Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2020.0031 · OSTI ID:1903794

^[1]; Schmitt, A. J. ^[2]; Bates, J. W. ^[2];

^[2]; Myers, M. C. ^[2]; McGeoch, M. W. ^[3]; Karasik, M. ^[2]; Weaver, J. L. ^[2]

Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Washington, DC (United States); OSTI
Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Washington, DC (United States)
PLEX LLC, Fall River, MA 02723 USA

Argon fluoride (ArF) is currently the shortest wavelength laser that can credibly scale to the energy and power required for high gain inertial fusion. ArF's deep ultraviolet light and capability to provide much wider bandwidth than other contemporary inertial confinement fusion (ICF) laser drivers would drastically improve the laser target coupling efficiency and enable substantially higher pressures to drive an implosion. Our radiation hydrodynamics simulations indicate gains greater than 100 are feasible with a sub-megajoule ArF driver. Our laser kinetics simulations indicate that the electron beam-pumped ArF laser can have intrinsic efficiencies of more than 16%, versus about 12% for the next most efficient krypton fluoride excimer laser. We expect at least 10% ‘wall plug' efficiency for delivering ArF light to target should be achievable using solid-state pulsed power and efficient electron beam transport to the laser gas that was demonstrated with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's Electra facility. These advantages could enable the development of modest size and lower cost fusion power plant modules. This would drastically change the present view on inertial fusion energy as being too expensive and the power plant size too large.

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Research Organization:: Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Washington, DC (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

OSTI ID:: 1903794

Journal Information:: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. A, Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, Journal Name: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. A, Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences Journal Issue: 2184 Vol. 378; ISSN 1364-503X

Publisher:: The Royal Society PublishingCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy: an introduction to the first special edition Norreys, P. A.; Ridgers, C.; Lancaster, K. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, Vol. 378, Issue 2184 https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2020.0006	journal	October 2020
Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy: an introduction to the second edition Norreys, Peter A.; Ridgers, Christopher; Lancaster, Kate Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, Vol. 379, Issue 2189 https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2020.0028	journal	December 2020

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Title: Direct drive with the argon fluoride laser as a path to high fusion gain with sub-megajoule laser energy

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