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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.
Kyung-Ho Kang, Joachim A. Maruhn
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 31 | Number 3 | May 1997 | Pages 265-279
Technical Paper | ICF Target | doi.org/10.13182/FST97-A30830
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A simple dynamic model is developed for the investigation of the hohlraum symmetrization by estimating the time changes of the optical geometry of the components under the influence of hohlraum radiation. The expansion of the converters heated by ion beams is also included. By performing dynamic simulations of the hohlraum target, it is found that the change in hohlraum geometry due to hydrodynamic expansion has a crucial effect on symmetrization. It is also found that the symmetry is now strongly dependent on time, and the optimal condition can only be satisfied for a limited time interval. An improved version of the hohlraum target is discussed, which may considerably increase the optimal time interval. This concept includes the suppression of the dynamic expansion by using low-Z gas in the hohlraum, the reduction of the optical expansion of the converter by using low-Z material, and modification of the shield configuration.