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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.
Zongwei Wang, Dangzhong Gao, Xiaojun Ma, Jie Meng
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 66 | Number 3 | November 2014 | Pages 432-437
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST14-808
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A new technique based on a vertical scanning white-light interferometry is developed for measuring fuel pressure in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) multiple-shell polymer-microsphere targets. Nuclear fuel pressure is an essential parameter for estimating fusion efficiency in ICF experiments. This parameter is difficult to determine because of complicated target structures, short measurement time, relatively short optical path length changes, and expansion of the target after pressurization. To reduce the effects due to changes in diameter, a model is proposed to correct for the expansion at the radial orientation for multiple-shell polymer microspheres. The model is compared to a destructive method, and D2 fill pressure accuracy is confirmed within a 10% error of uncertainty.