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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.
J. R. Duke, N. E. Elliott, J. E. Moore, V. M. Gomez, R. Manzanares, G. Rivera, R. Watt, W. S. Varnum, P. L. Gobby
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 35 | Number 2 | March 1999 | Pages 90-94
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST99-A11963908
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
At scales appropriate to the National Ignition Facility, calculations indicate double shell capsules reach ignition conditions with room temperature fuel. Los Alamos is laying the groundwork for these double shell ignition targets with a preliminary campaign on Nova. The target design features a 260 μm O.D. inner glass capsule with an I.D. of approximately 200 μm, containing deuterium gas, centered inside a machined polymer shell. The central capsule was supported either with a 30 mg/cc foam or with two polymer films, each less than 0.1 μm in thickness. The materials, machining, assembly, and characterization of the targets are discussed.