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Fusion energy: Progress, partnerships, and the path to deployment
Over the past decade, fusion energy has moved decisively from scientific aspiration toward a credible pathway to a new energy technology. Thanks to long-term federal support, we have significantly advanced our fundamental understanding of plasma physics—the behavior of the superheated gases at the heart of fusion devices. This knowledge will enable the creation and control of fusion fuel under conditions required for future power plants. Our progress is exemplified by breakthroughs at the National Ignition Facility and the Joint European Torus.
Juergen Biener, Paul B. Mirkarimi, Joseph W. Tringe, Sherry L. Baker, Yinmin Wang, Sergei O. Kucheyev, Nick E. Teslich, Kuang Jen J. Wu, Alex V. Hamza, Christoph Wild, Eckhard Woerner, Peter Koidl, Kai Bruehne, Hans-Joerg Fecht
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 49 | Number 4 | May 2006 | Pages 737-742
Technical Paper | Target Fabrication | doi.org/10.13182/FST49-737
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Diamond has a unique combination of physical properties for the inertial confinement fusion ablator application, such as appropriate optical properties, high atomic density, high yield strength, and high thermal conductivity. Here, we present a feasible concept for fabrication of diamond ablator shells. The fabrication of diamond capsules is a multi-step process which involves diamond chemical vapor deposition on silicon mandrels followed by polishing, microfabrication of holes, and removing of the silicon mandrel by an etch process. We also discuss the pros and cons of coarse-grained optical quality and nanocrystalline chemical vapor deposition diamond films for the ablator application.