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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.
Lei Ren, Jianqiang Zhu
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 71 | Number 2 | February 2017 | Pages 137-143
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST16-101
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The target area of a 288-beam inertial confinement fusion laser driver was designed to allow lasers for direct-drive illumination, spherical hohlraum with six laser entrance holes (6LEHs), and baseline cylindrical hohlraums. The suggested radius of a target chamber was 6.0 m based on the ratio of the total port area to chamber area. Beam port distribution on the chamber was calculated if the direct propagation of laser beams into opposing beam ports was avoided, and this distribution was compatible with spherical hohlraums with 6LEHs without additional ports opened. According to the symmetry of the beam port distribution, an X-shaped beam-guiding system (BGS) in the switchyard was proposed and arranged within a baseline algorithm. The switch between direct- and indirect-drive modes was easy to operate using this BGS concept.