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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. A. Eddinger, R. B. Stephens, H. Huang, T. J. Drake, A. Nikroo, G. Flint, C. R. Bystedt
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 51 | Number 4 | May 2007 | Pages 525-529
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST51-525
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
We built a precision radiography system that measures shells for all current ablator materials to an accuracy of 1:104 in optical depth fluctuation and a spatial resolution of 120 m. The data obtained by the precision radiography system for undoped shells was compared with the data taken using the well-known surface measurement technique Spheremapper. Since both techniques yielded the same power spectrum for the same shell, the results of the precision radiography system were verified. When this technique is compared to the Be:Cu NIF shell, there is no significant internal layer fluctuation. To account for the growing measurement demand, a new x-ray system to accommodate measurements in 1 working day was designed.