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Title: Computational modeling of pulsed-power-driven magnetized target fusion experiments

Abstract

Direct magnetic drive using electrical pulsed power has been considered impractically slow for traditional inertial confinement implosion of fusion targets. However, if the target contains a preheated, magnetized plasma, magnetothermal insulation may allow the near-adiabatic compression of such a target to fusion conditions on a much slower time scale. 100-MJ-class explosive flux compression generators with implosion kinetic energies far beyond those available with conventional fusion drivers, are an inexpensive means to investigate such magnetized target fusion (MTF) systems. One means of obtaining the preheated and magnetized plasma required for an MTF system is the recently reported {open_quotes}MAGO{close_quotes} concept. MAGO is a unique, explosive-pulsed-power driven discharge in two cylindrical chambers joined by an annular nozzle. Joint Russian-American MAGO experiments have reported D-T neutron yields in excess of 10{sup 13} from this plasma preparation stage alone, without going on to the proposed separately driven NM implosion of the main plasma chamber. Two-dimensional MED computational modeling of MAGO discharges shows good agreement to experiment. The calculations suggest that after the observed neutron pulse, a diffuse Z-pinch plasma with temperature in excess of 100 eV is created, which may be suitable for subsequent MTF implosion, in a heavy liner magnetically driven by explosive pulsedmore » power. Other MTF concepts, such as fiber-initiated Z-pinch target plasmas, are also being computationally and theoretically evaluated. The status of our modeling efforts will be reported.« less

Authors:
; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
102441
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-95-2365; CONF-950750-16
ON: DE95016778; TRN: 95:020423
DOE Contract Number:  
W-7405-ENG-36
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Conference: 10. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) pulsed power conference, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 10-13 Jul 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION; TARGETS; MAGNETIZATION; THERMONUCLEAR FUELS; MAGNETIC COMPRESSION; INERTIAL CONFINEMENT; MATHEMATICAL MODELS; MAGNETIC CONFINEMENT

Citation Formats

Sheehey, P, Kirkpatrick, R, and Lindemuth, I. Computational modeling of pulsed-power-driven magnetized target fusion experiments. United States: N. p., 1995. Web.
Sheehey, P, Kirkpatrick, R, & Lindemuth, I. Computational modeling of pulsed-power-driven magnetized target fusion experiments. United States.
Sheehey, P, Kirkpatrick, R, and Lindemuth, I. 1995. "Computational modeling of pulsed-power-driven magnetized target fusion experiments". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/102441.
@article{osti_102441,
title = {Computational modeling of pulsed-power-driven magnetized target fusion experiments},
author = {Sheehey, P and Kirkpatrick, R and Lindemuth, I},
abstractNote = {Direct magnetic drive using electrical pulsed power has been considered impractically slow for traditional inertial confinement implosion of fusion targets. However, if the target contains a preheated, magnetized plasma, magnetothermal insulation may allow the near-adiabatic compression of such a target to fusion conditions on a much slower time scale. 100-MJ-class explosive flux compression generators with implosion kinetic energies far beyond those available with conventional fusion drivers, are an inexpensive means to investigate such magnetized target fusion (MTF) systems. One means of obtaining the preheated and magnetized plasma required for an MTF system is the recently reported {open_quotes}MAGO{close_quotes} concept. MAGO is a unique, explosive-pulsed-power driven discharge in two cylindrical chambers joined by an annular nozzle. Joint Russian-American MAGO experiments have reported D-T neutron yields in excess of 10{sup 13} from this plasma preparation stage alone, without going on to the proposed separately driven NM implosion of the main plasma chamber. Two-dimensional MED computational modeling of MAGO discharges shows good agreement to experiment. The calculations suggest that after the observed neutron pulse, a diffuse Z-pinch plasma with temperature in excess of 100 eV is created, which may be suitable for subsequent MTF implosion, in a heavy liner magnetically driven by explosive pulsed power. Other MTF concepts, such as fiber-initiated Z-pinch target plasmas, are also being computationally and theoretically evaluated. The status of our modeling efforts will be reported.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/102441}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1995},
month = {Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1995}
}

Conference:
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