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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.
John D. Sheliak, James K. Hoffer
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 35 | Number 2 | March 1999 | Pages 234-243
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST99-A11963930
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Solid D-T layers are equilibrated inside a 2 mm diameter beryllium toroidal cell at temperatures ranging from 19.0 K to 19.6 K, using the beta-layering process. Each experimental run consisted of multiple cycles of rapid- or slow-freezing of the initially liquid D-T charge. Each of these freeze cycles was followed by a lengthy period of beta-layering equilibration, which was terminated by melting the layer. The temperature was changed in discrete steps at the end of some equilibration cycles in an attempt to simulate actual ICF target conditions. High-precision images of the D-T solid-vapor interface were analyzed to yield the surface roughness σrms as a sum of modal contributions. Results show an average σrms. of 1.3 ± 0.3 μm for layers equilibrated at 19.0 K and show an inverse dependence of σrms on equilibration temperature up to 19.525 K. Inducing sudden temperature perturbations lowered σrms to 1.0 ± 0.05 μm.