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Fusion Science and Technology
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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.
A. A. Ivanov, D. D. Ryutov
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 106 | Number 3 | November 1990 | Pages 235-242
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE90-A29052
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A survey of plasma-type neutron sources is presented. Mirror devices are found to be most suitable for use as a neutron source because their high-β values allow a high-intensity flux of 14-MeV deuterium-tritium neutrons at a moderate plasma size. Mirror devices also have a convenient geometry for radiation tests. A conceptual design and performance of a neutron source based on the gas dynamic trap are described. Components (neutral beam injectors, tritium system, etc.) of the plasma-type neutron source are compared with those of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) facility. It is shown that the current level of technology is sufficient for construction of a mirror-based neutron source.