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Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
In transition: Commercializing fusion power
Commercial fusion power is closer than ever. There are now around 30 U.S. fusion companies, several of which claim to be on track to connect to the grid as early as the 2030s.
Tokamak and laser inertial confinement approaches benefit from decades of research at facilities such as the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and ITER, with alternative concepts including stellarator, magnetic mirror, and Z-pinch confinement also making notable progress as private and government funding for fusion increases.
J. Dorning
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 33 | Number 1 | July 1968 | Pages 65-80
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE68-A20919
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The pulsed-neutron experiment discrete time-decay constants are examined in slab and spherical geometries using a one-term degenerate isotropic scattering kernel. The integral form of the space-, energy-, and time-dependent neutron-transport equation is considered in the proof of four theorems that determine the nature of the decay constants as a function of system size. The theorems are verified by actual calculation of the decay constants for the simpler of the two degenerate-kernel models considered. The spatial eigenfunctions that become flatter as system size is decreased are also computed. The one-velocity problem is solved as a special case. Pulsed-neutron experiment size-dependent extrapolation distances are defined and calculated in such a way as to bring exp (iB · r) theory decay constant results into agreement with those obtained by a more rigorous treatment of the spatial dependence, even for vanishingly small systems. Again, the monoenergetic problem is included as a special case. The variable extrapolation distances approach the Milne problem value as system size is increased. The variation of the extrapolation distance with system dimension is discussed in terms of opposing effects of the thermalization and transport phenomena. Estimates of leakage angular distributions and energy spectra in slabs are calculated from single iterations (performed analytically) on spatial functions synthesized from asymptotic solutions using the size-dependent extrapolation distances. The nature of the singularity in the angular distributions within extremely small systems is investigated. Finally, physical explanations for the changes in the leakage angular distributions and energy spectra (which are diffusion cooled) with slab dimensions are proffered.