NRL Light Ion Beam Research for Inertial Confinement Fusion.
Abstract
There is presently great interest in using light ions beams to drive thermonuclear pellets. Terrawatt-level ion beams have been efficiently produced using conventional pulsed power generators at Sandia Laboratory with magnetically-insulated ion diodes and at the Naval Research Laboratory with pinch-reflex ion diodes. Both laboratory have recently focused ion beams to pellet dimensions. This paper reviews recent advances made at NRL in the area of ion production with pinch-reflex diodes, and in the areas of beam focusing and transport. In addition, modulator generator and beam requirements for pellet ignition systems are reviewed and compared with the latest experimental results. These results include the following: (1) production of > or = 100 100 kJ proton and deuteron beams with peak ion powers approaching 2 TW on the PITHON generator in collaboration with Physics International Co., (2) focusing of 0.5 TW deuteron beams produced on the NRL Gamble II generator to current densities of about 300 kA/sq cm, and (3) efficient transport of 100 kA level ion beams over 1 meter distances using Z-discharge plasma channels. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 20, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA092471
Entities
People
- Deane F. Mosher
- Gerald Cooperstein
- John R. Boller
- R. J. Barker
- S. A. Goldstein
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory