A graded-density shell facilitates inertial confinement fusion reactions

Scilight ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (51) ◽  
pp. 511103
Author(s):  
Avery Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Fusion Reactions ◽  
Confinement Fusion

scholarly journals Performance Optimisation of Inertial Confinement Fusion Codes using Mini-applications

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 570-581
Author(s):  
Robert F Bird ◽  
Patrick Gillies ◽  
Michael R Bareford ◽  
Andy Herdman ◽  
Stephen Jarvis
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Pulse Shaping ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Fusion Reactions ◽  
Simulation Code ◽  
Particle In Cell ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Confinement Fusion ◽  
Successive Generations

Despite the recent successes of nuclear energy researchers, the scientific community still remains some distance from being able to create controlled, self-sustaining fusion reactions. Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) techniques represent one possible option to surpass this barrier, with scientific simulation playing a leading role in guiding and supporting their development. The simulation of such techniques allows for safe and efficient investigation of laser design and pulse shaping, as well as providing insight into the reaction as a whole. The research presented here focuses on the simulation code EPOCH, a fully relativistic particle-in-cell plasma physics code concerned with faithfully recreating laser-plasma interactions at scale. A significant challenge in developing large codes like EPOCH is maintaining effective scientific delivery on successive generations of high-performance computing architecture. To support this process, we adopt the use of mini-applications – small code proxies that encapsulate important computational properties of their larger parent counterparts. Through the development of a mini-application for EPOCH (called miniEPOCH), we investigate a variety of the performance features exhibited in EPOCH, expose opportunities for optimisation and increased scientific capability, and offer our conclusions to guide future changes to similar ICF codes.

scholarly journals Synergism in inertial confinement fusion: a total direct energy conversion package

1989 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 449-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Prelas ◽  
E. J. Charlson
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Fusion Reaction ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Fusion Reactions ◽  
Direct Energy Conversion ◽  
Transport Length ◽  
Confinement Fusion ◽  
Direct Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion Devices

The products of fusion reactions have unique properties which can be used for direct energy conversion. These products are neutrons and ions. Neutrons can be transported very long distances through solid materials and can interact with certain elements which have a very high absorption cross section. Ions on the other hand have a very short transport length even in a gaseous medium. It is possible to utilize these products in an inertial confinement fusion reactor with two different direct energy conversion devices: a nuclear-pumped laser using neutrons from the fusion reaction; a photon generator material combined with a photovoltaic converter using the ionic fusion products.It will be argued that a nuclear-pumped laser can be more efficient than a conventional laser. It will also be shown that an advanced energy conversion concept based on photon production and photovoltaics can produce ICF system efficiencies of 56%.

scholarly journals Diamond photovoltaic cells as a first-wall material and energy conversion system for inertial confinement fusion

1993 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Prelas ◽  
Earl J. Charlson ◽  
Elaine M. Charlson ◽  
J.M. Meese ◽  
Galina Popovici ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
Photovoltaic Cells ◽  
Wide Bandgap ◽  
Wall Material ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Fusion Reactions ◽  
Light Spectrum ◽  
Confinement Fusion

Diamond film technology has advanced to the point where electronic devices are now becoming feasible. In addition, diamond has outstanding mechanical properties. The energy given off in fusion reactions may be converted to a narrow-band light spectrum that can be absorbed by wide-bandgap photovoltaic cells to directly produce electricity. The properties of possible wide-bandgap photovoltaic cells are examined for the purpose of fusion energy conversion.

scholarly journals Developments in inertial fusion energy and beam fusion at magnetic confinement

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
HEINRICH HORA
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Fusion Reaction ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
Magnetic Confinement ◽  
Skin Layer ◽  
Inertial Fusion ◽  
Inertial Fusion Energy ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Fusion Reactions ◽  
Confinement Fusion

The 70-year anniversary of the first nuclear fusion reaction of hydrogen isotopes by Oliphant, Harteck, and Rutherford is an opportunity to realize how beam fusion is the path for energy production, including both branches, the magnetic confinement fusion and the inertial fusion energy (IFE). It is intriguing that Oliphant's basic concept for igniting controlled fusion reactions by beams has made a comeback even for magnetic confinement plasma, after this beam fusion concept was revealed by the basically nonlinear processes of the well-known alternative of inertial confinement fusion using laser or particle beams. After reviewing the main streams of both directions some results are reported—as an example of possible alternatives—about how experiments with skin layer interaction and avoiding relativistic self-focusing of clean PW–ps laser pulses for IFE may possibly lead to a simplified fusion reactor scheme without the need for special compression of solid deuterium–tritium fuel.

scholarly journals Experimental quantification of the impact of heterogeneous mix on thermonuclear burn

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Albright ◽  
Thomas Murphy ◽  
M Douglas ◽  
T Cardenas ◽  
James Cooley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
National Ignition Facility ◽  
Fusion Reactions ◽  
Plastic Foam ◽  
Confinement Fusion ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Degree Of Heterogeneity

Abstract In inertial confinement fusion (ICF), deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel is brought to densities and temperatures where fusion ignition occurs. Mix of ablator material into the fuel may prevent ignition by diluting and cooling the fuel. MARBLE experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) provide new insight into how mix affects thermonuclear burn. These experiments use laser-driven capsules containing deuterated plastic foam and tritium gas. Embedded within the foam are voids of known sizes and locations, which control the degree of heterogeneity of the fuel. Initially, the reactants are separated, with tritium concentrated in the voids and deuterium in the foam. During the implosion, mix occurs, leading to DT fusion reactions in the mixed region. Here we show that by measuring ratios of DT and deuterium-deuterium (DD) neutron yields for different macropore sizes and gas compositions, effects of mix heterogeneity on thermonuclear burn may be quantified and understood for the first time.

scholarly journals Fusion reactions and matter–antimatter annihilation for space propulsion

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 605-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
CLAUDE DEUTSCH ◽  
NAEEM A. TAHIR
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Fusion Reaction ◽  
Specific Impulse ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Fusion Reactions ◽  
Antiproton Annihilation ◽  
Confinement Fusion

Magnetic confinement fusion (MCF) and inertial confinement fusion (ICF) are critically contrasted in the context of far-distant travels throughout solar system. Both are shown to potentially display superior capabilities for vessel maneuvering at high speed, which are unmatched by standard cryogenic propulsion (SCP). Costs constraints seem less demanding than for ground-based power plants. Main issue is the highly problematic takeoff from earth, in view of safety hazards concomitant to radioactive spills in case of emergency. So, it is recommended to assemble the given powered vessel at high earth altitude ∼ 700 km, above upper atmosphere. Fusion propulsion is also compared to fission powered one, which secures a factor of two improvement over SCP. As far a specific impulse (s) is considered, one expects 500–3000 from fission and as much as 104–105 from fusion through deuterium–tritium (D-T). Next, we turn attention to the most performing fusion reaction, i.e., proton–antiproton annihilation with specific impulse ∼ 103–106 and thrust–to–weight ratio ∼ 10−3–1. Production and costs are timely reviewed. The latter could drop by four orders of magnitude, which is possible with successful MCF or ICF. Appropriate vessel designs will be presented for fusion as well as for antimatter propulsion. In particular, ion compressed antimatter nuclear II (ICAN-II) project to Mars in 30 days with fusion catalyzed by 140 ng of antiprotons will be detailed (specific impulse ∼ 13500 s).

Analysis of electroless nickel thin films

1991 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 510-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. W. Price ◽  
E. F. Lindsey
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Electroless Nickel ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Plating Bath ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Nickel Thin Films ◽  
Nickel Deposits ◽  
Confinement Fusion ◽  
Thickness Measurements

Thickness measurements of thin films are performed by both energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and x-ray fluorescence (XRF). XRF can measure thicker films than EDS, and XRF measurements also have somewhat greater precision than EDS measurements. However, small components with curved or irregular shapes that are used for various applications in the the Inertial Confinement Fusion program at LLNL present geometrical problems that are not conducive to XRF analyses but may have only a minimal effect on EDS analyses. This work describes the development of an EDS technique to measure the thickness of electroless nickel deposits on gold substrates. Although elaborate correction techniques have been developed for thin-film measurements by x-ray analysis, the thickness of electroless nickel films can be dependent on the plating bath used. Therefore, standard calibration curves were established by correlating EDS data with thickness measurements that were obtained by contact profilometry.

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