Design studies of a laser fusion power plant
The conceptual design of a laser fusion power plant has been undertaken to exploit recent developments in target design. Advanced high-gain targets which have been developed make it possible to significantly relax the laser and optical system requirements. The power plant design features a reactor concept which utilizes a thick falling region of liquid lithium to protect the first-wall from the neutrons, x-rays, and charged particles that are produced in the thermonuclear microexplosion. The lithium waterfall has also been designed to be thick enough to significantly reduce the effects of 14 MeV neutrons and cyclical stresses on the blanket structure; thereby allowing us to consider smaller blanket structures which could last the lifetime of the plant. Fusion targets producing 700 MJ of thermonuclear energy are ignited by a 2 percent efficient, 1 MJ laser system at the rate of 1.4 Hz. Schemes for protecting the final focusing optics are described which are both compatible with this reactor system, and show promise of surviving a full year in order to minimize costly downtime.
- Research Organization:
- California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 5137744
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-80081; CONF-771056-11; TRN: 78-009001
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: IAEA conference and workshop on fusion reactor design, Madison, WI, USA, 12 Oct 1977
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
LASER FUSION REACTORS
DESIGN
CHARGED PARTICLES
LITHIUM
NEUTRONS
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
SHIELDING
TARGETS
THERMONUCLEAR FUELS
X RADIATION
ALKALI METALS
BARYONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
FERMIONS
FUELS
HADRONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
METALS
NUCLEONS
RADIATIONS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
700208* - Fusion Power Plant Technology- Inertial Confinement Technology