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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.
H. Huang, H. W. Xu, K. P. Youngblood, D. R. Wall, R. B. Stephens, K. A. Moreno, A. Nikroo, K. J. Wu, M. Wang, A. V. Hamza
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 63 | Number 2 | March-April 2013 | Pages 190-201
Technical Paper | Selected papers from 20th Target Fabrication Meeting, May 20-24, 2012, Santa Fe, NM, Guest Editor: Robert C. Cook | doi.org/10.13182/FST13-TFM20-24
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The National Ignition Facility point design uses a five-layer capsule to modify the X-ray absorption in order to achieve optimized shock timing. A stepwise copper dopant design defines the layer structure; however, the as-deposited Cu distribution is significantly altered during the CH mandrel removal by pyrolysis. The changes are significant: (a) Cu diffuses on average several microns, a distance more than an order of magnitude larger than predicted from the bulk diffusion data, and (b) the Cu distribution, as a result of diffusion, is highly heterogeneous, introducing a local variation of [approximately]0.06 at. % near the original layer interface. In this study, we developed quantitative techniques to measure Cu diffusion and explored its correlation to beryllium microstructures. Plausible diffusion mechanisms and mitigation methods will be discussed. These findings will enable more accurate evaluation of the expected target performance.