Mitigating fuel mix for high performance MagLIF
Abstract
Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) experiments driven by the Z machine produce > 1012DD fusion reactions. Simulations indicate much higher yields should be possible with increased drive current, fuel density, preheat energy, and applied magnetic field. However, mixing of material from the liner or the foil covering laser entrance hole will enhance radiation losses and reduce the yield. The mix from the liner can be avoided by freezing a layer of deuterium tritium (DT) onto the inner surface of the liner. However, the vapor density at the triple point is only 0.3 mg/cc, which is not high enough for MagLIF operation. We discuss the merits of three solutions to this problem. In all of these approaches no foil is required at the laser entrance hole.
Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.- Publication:
-
APS Division of Plasma Physics Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018APS..DPPYO6011S