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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.
Y. Kitagawa, K. Mima, H. Takabe, M. Yamanaka, K. Naito, T. Hashimoto, K. Nishihara, M. Murakami, Laser Fusion Reactor Design Committee, S. Nakai
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 21 | Number 3 | May 1992 | Pages 1460-1464
Inertial Fusion Reactor Studies | doi.org/10.13182/FST92-A29926
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
This paper presents a conceptual design of a laser fusion reactor for direct irradiation implosion of a DT fuel pellet. The reactor is driven by a laser diode (LD)-pumped solid state laser. 4 MJ driver energy yields the maximum gain of 150. The driver will be operated at a repetition rate of 12 Hz. We propose the four module chamber-one laser system. Each module chamber is operated at 3Hz. A first wall is made of liquid-lithium-lead flows. The flows are guided by woven ceramic pipes, protecting the structural wall as well as breeding tritium. By adopting currently existing technologies, we designed a concept of a high efficiency- and high repetition rate- LD-pumped solid state laser driver.