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The division's objectives are to promote the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the fundamental physical phenomena characterizing nuclear reactors and other nuclear systems. The division encourages research and disseminates information through meetings and publications. Areas of technical interest include nuclear data, particle interactions and transport, reactor and nuclear systems analysis, methods, design, validation and operating experience and standards. The Wigner Award heads the awards program.
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2024 ANS Annual Conference
June 16–19, 2024
Las Vegas, NV|Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
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Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Proving DRACO will deliver
The United States is now closer than it has been in over five decades to launching the first nuclear thermal rocket into space, thanks to DRACO—the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Orbit.
J. A. Koch, T. P. Bernat, G. W. Collins, B. A. Hammel, B. J. Kozioziemski, A. J. MacKinnon, J. D. Sater, D. N. Bittner, Y. Lee
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 38 | Number 1 | July 2000 | Pages 123-131
Technical Paper | Thirteenth Target Fabrication Specialists’ Meeting | doi.org/10.13182/FST00-A36128
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
We have developed a numerical raytrace model, SHELL3D, which simulates the backlit imaging of cryogenic inertial-confinement fusion (ICF) ignition capsules in three dimensions. We have used this model to investigate the limitations of backlit shadowgraphy as a diagnostic of hydrogen ice surface quality inside the capsules. We impose known modal perturbations upon the simulated inner ice surface, and produce simulated shadowgraphs which are then analyzed as if they were real experimental data. We find that power spectra derived from backlit shadowgraphs appear to be reliable indicators of ice surface power spectra out to Fourier mode numbers as high as 80. We also suggest that some advantages may be obtained by using a collimated backlight, and possibly by utilizing backlit transmission interferometry. These results support the conclusion that backlit shadowgraphy is a valid quantitative diagnostic of lower-mode ice surface imperfections inside transparent spherical ICF shells.