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Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Playing the “bad guy” to enhance next-generation safety
Sometimes, cops and robbers is more than just a kid’s game. At the Department of Energy’s national laboratories, researchers are channeling their inner saboteurs to discover vulnerabilities in next-generation nuclear reactors, making sure that they’re as safe as possible before they’re even constructed.
K. K. Dannenberg, C. A. Back, C. A. Frederick, E. M. Giraldez, R. R. Holt, W. J. Krych, D. G. Schroen, C. O. Russell
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 51 | Number 4 | May 2007 | Pages 673-676
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST07-A1462
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
This paper concerns the methods that were used to build an imbedded sphere in foam target for use on Omega to test theories of astrophysical jets. The core of the target is comprised of a titanium slab that is driven through a titanium washer into a low-density foam with an imbedded sphere. The critical dimension that needed to be known was the location of the center of the sphere with respect to the drive region. Initially, attempts were made to fabricate the sphere imbedded foam precisely, however the foam changed dimensionally during the drying phase of fabrication. The dimensional changes observed were often as large as the specified tolerances, so the foams required post fabrication characterization. Optical characterization of the foams weren't accurate enough and radiography was required for precision characterization. Once characterized, the sphere needed to be placed in the specified target geometry correct to an accuracy of ±25 m. The radiography images were imported into a CAD program and these images were used to assemble the target precisely. The methods used provided a well-characterized target with a good build.