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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.
S. W. Haan, P. A. Amendt, D. A. Callahan, T. R. Dittrich, M. J. Edwards, B. A. Hammel, D. D. Ho, O. S. Jones, J. D. Lindl, M. M. Marinak, D. H. Munro, S. M. Pollaine, J. D. Salmonson, B. K. Spears, L. J. Suter
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 51 | Number 4 | May 2007 | Pages 509-513
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST51-509
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Targets intended to produce ignition on NIF are being simulated and the simulations used to set specifications for target fabrication. Recent design work has focused on refining the designs that use 1.0 MJ of laser energy, with ablators of Be(Cu), CH(Ge), and diamond-like C. The main-line hohlraum design now has a He gas fill, a wall of U-Au layers, and no shields as were formerly used between the capsule and the laser entrance holes. The emphasis in this presentation will be on changes in the requirements over the last year, and on the characteristics of the diamond-ablator design. Complete tables of specifications have been prepared for all of the targets. All the specifications are rolled together into an error budget indicating adequate margin for ignition with all of the designs.