Ignition Target Design and Robustness Studies for the National Ignition Facility

Ignition Target Design and Robustness Studies for the National Ignition Facility PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 30

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Book Description
Recent results are presented from two-dimensional LASNEX calculations of the indirectly driven hohlraum and ignition capsules proposed for the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The calculations concentrate on two capsule designs, the baseline design which has a bromine-doped plastic ablator, and the beryllium design which has a copper-doped beryllium ablator. Both capsules have a cryogenic fuel layer. Primary emphasis in these calculations is placed upon robustness studies detailing various sensitivities. These studies fall naturally into two categories, those performed with integrated modeling where the capsule, hohlraum, and laser rays all are modeled simultaneously with the laser power levels as the only energy input, and those performed in a capsule-only mode where an externally imposed drive is applied to the exterior of the ignition capsule and only the capsule performance is modeled. Integrated modeling calculations address sensitivities to, e.g., the laser pointing; among other things, capsule-only calculations address yield degradation due to the growth of hydrodynamic instabilities seeded by initial surface roughnesses on the capsules. Limitations of the calculational models and directions for future research are discussed. The results of the robustness studies performed to date enhance the authors' confidence that the NIF can achieve ignition and produce 10--15 MJ of capsule yield with one or more capsule designs.

Ignition Target Design and Robustness Studies for the National Ignition Facility

Ignition Target Design and Robustness Studies for the National Ignition Facility PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 30

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Book Description
Recent results are presented from two-dimensional LASNEX calculations of the indirectly driven hohlraum and ignition capsules proposed for the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The calculations concentrate on two capsule designs, the baseline design which has a bromine-doped plastic ablator, and the beryllium design which has a copper-doped beryllium ablator. Both capsules have a cryogenic fuel layer. Primary emphasis in these calculations is placed upon robustness studies detailing various sensitivities. These studies fall naturally into two categories, those performed with integrated modeling where the capsule, hohlraum, and laser rays all are modeled simultaneously with the laser power levels as the only energy input, and those performed in a capsule-only mode where an externally imposed drive is applied to the exterior of the ignition capsule and only the capsule performance is modeled. Integrated modeling calculations address sensitivities to, e.g., the laser pointing; among other things, capsule-only calculations address yield degradation due to the growth of hydrodynamic instabilities seeded by initial surface roughnesses on the capsules. Limitations of the calculational models and directions for future research are discussed. The results of the robustness studies performed to date enhance the authors' confidence that the NIF can achieve ignition and produce 10--15 MJ of capsule yield with one or more capsule designs.

Robustness Studies of Ignition Targets for the National Ignition Facility in Two Dimensions

Robustness Studies of Ignition Targets for the National Ignition Facility in Two Dimensions PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 14

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Book Description
Inertial confinement fusion capsules are critically dependent on the integrity of their hot spots to ignite. At the time of ignition, only a certain fractional perturbation of the nominally spherical hot spot boundary can be tolerated and the capsule still achieve ignition. The degree to which the expected hot spot perturbation in any given capsule design is less than this maximum tolerable perturbation is a measure of the ignition margin or robustness of that design. Moreover, since there will inevitably be uncertainties in the initial character and implosion dynamics of any given capsule, all of which can contribute to the eventual hot spot perturbation, quantifying the robustness of that capsule against a range of parameter variations is an important consideration in the capsule design. Here, the robustness of the 300 eV indirect drive target design for the National Ignition Facility [J.D. Lindl, et al., Phys. Plasmas 11, 339 (2004)] is studied in the parameter space of inner ice roughness, implosion velocity, and capsule scale. A suite of two thousand two-dimensional simulations, run with the radiation hydrodynamics code Lasnex, is used as the data base for the study. For each scale, an ignition region in the two remaining variables is identified and the ignition cliff is mapped. In accordance with the theoretical arguments of Levedahl and Lindl [Nucl. Fusion 37, 165 (1997)] and Kishony and Shvarts [Phys. Plasmas 8, 4925 (2001)], the location of this cliff is fitted to a power law of the capsule implosion velocity and scale. It is found that the cliff can be quite well represented in this power law form, and, using this scaling law, an assessment of the overall (one- and two-dimensional) ignition margin of the design can be made. The effect on the ignition margin of an increase or decrease in the density of the target fill gas is also assessed.

Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion Targets

Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion Targets PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309270626
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 119

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Book Description
In the fall of 2010, the Office of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Secretary for Science asked for a National Research Council (NRC) committee to investigate the prospects for generating power using inertial confinement fusion (ICF) concepts, acknowledging that a key test of viability for this concept-ignition -could be demonstrated at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in the relatively near term. The committee was asked to provide an unclassified report. However, DOE indicated that to fully assess this topic, the committee's deliberations would have to be informed by the results of some classified experiments and information, particularly in the area of ICF targets and nonproliferation. Thus, the Panel on the Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion Targets ("the panel") was assembled, composed of experts able to access the needed information. The panel was charged with advising the Committee on the Prospects for Inertial Confinement Fusion Energy Systems on these issues, both by internal discussion and by this unclassified report. A Panel on Fusion Target Physics ("the panel") will serve as a technical resource to the Committee on Inertial Confinement Energy Systems ("the Committee") and will prepare a report that describes the R&D challenges to providing suitable targets, on the basis of parameters established and provided to the Panel by the Committee. The Panel on Fusion Target Physics will prepare a report that will assess the current performance of fusion targets associated with various ICF concepts in order to understand: 1. The spectrum output; 2. The illumination geometry; 3. The high-gain geometry; and 4. The robustness of the target design. The panel addressed the potential impacts of the use and development of current concepts for Inertial Fusion Energy on the proliferation of nuclear weapons information and technology, as appropriate. The Panel examined technology options, but does not provide recommendations specific to any currently operating or proposed ICF facility.

Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion Targets

Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion Targets PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309270707
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 119

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Book Description
In the fall of 2010, the Office of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Secretary for Science asked for a National Research Council (NRC) committee to investigate the prospects for generating power using inertial confinement fusion (ICF) concepts, acknowledging that a key test of viability for this concept-ignition -could be demonstrated at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in the relatively near term. The committee was asked to provide an unclassified report. However, DOE indicated that to fully assess this topic, the committee's deliberations would have to be informed by the results of some classified experiments and information, particularly in the area of ICF targets and nonproliferation. Thus, the Panel on the Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion Targets ("the panel") was assembled, composed of experts able to access the needed information. The panel was charged with advising the Committee on the Prospects for Inertial Confinement Fusion Energy Systems on these issues, both by internal discussion and by this unclassified report. A Panel on Fusion Target Physics ("the panel") will serve as a technical resource to the Committee on Inertial Confinement Energy Systems ("the Committee") and will prepare a report that describes the R&D challenges to providing suitable targets, on the basis of parameters established and provided to the Panel by the Committee. The Panel on Fusion Target Physics will prepare a report that will assess the current performance of fusion targets associated with various ICF concepts in order to understand: 1. The spectrum output; 2. The illumination geometry; 3. The high-gain geometry; and 4. The robustness of the target design. The panel addressed the potential impacts of the use and development of current concepts for Inertial Fusion Energy on the proliferation of nuclear weapons information and technology, as appropriate. The Panel examined technology options, but does not provide recommendations specific to any currently operating or proposed ICF facility.

Ignition Target Design for the National Ignition Facility

Ignition Target Design for the National Ignition Facility PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 11

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Book Description
The goal of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) is to produce significant thermonuclear burn from a target driven with a laser or ion beam. To achieve that goal, the national ICF Program has proposed a laser capable of producing ignition and intermediate gain. The facility is called the National Ignition Facility (NIF). This article describes ignition targets designed for the NIF and their modeling. Although the baseline NIF target design, described herein, is indirect drive, the facility will also be capable of doing direct-drive ignition targets - currently being developed at the University of Rochester.

Settecento anni di vita

Settecento anni di vita PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 117

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Book Description


Preparing for Ignition Experiments on the National Ignition Facility

Preparing for Ignition Experiments on the National Ignition Facility PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 12

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Book Description
The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a 192-beam Nd-glass laser facility presently under construction at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) for performing ignition experiments for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and experiments studying high energy density (HED) science. NIF will produce 1.8 MJ, 500 TW of ultraviolet light ([lambda] = 351 nm) making it the world's largest and most powerful laser system. NIF will be the world's preeminent facility for the study of matter at extreme temperatures and densities for producing and developing ICF. The ignition studies will be an essential step in developing inertial fusion energy (IFE). the NIF Project is over 93% complete and scheduled for completion in 2009. Experiments using one beam have demonstrated that NIF can meet all of its performance goals. A detailed plan called the National Ignition Campaign (NIC) has been developed to begin ignition experiments in 2010. The plan includes the target physics and the equipment such as diagnostics, cryogenic target manipulator and user optics required for the ignition experiment. Target designs have been developed that calculate to ignite at energy as low as 1 MJ. Plans are under way to make NIF a national user facility for experiments on HED physics and nuclear science, including experiments relevant to the development of IFE.

Ignition Target Fabrication and Fielding for the National Ignition Facility

Ignition Target Fabrication and Fielding for the National Ignition Facility PDF Author: R. Cook
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 8

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Book Description
Continued advances in the design of ignition targets have stimulating new development paths for target fabrication, with potentially important simplifications for fielding cryogenic ignition targets for the National Ignition Facility. Including graded dopants in ablators as well as optimizing capsule and fuel layer dimensions increase implosion stability. This has led to developments of micron-scale fill tubes to fill and field the targets. Rapid progress has been made in development of the graded dopant layers in capsules as well as their characterization, in fabrication methods for micro-fill-tubes, and in fuel fill control with these fill tubes. Phase-contrast x-ray radiography has allowed characterization of fuel layers in beryllium targets. This target development program includes participation from General Atomics, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The Ignition Target for the National Ignition Facility

The Ignition Target for the National Ignition Facility PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 8

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Book Description
The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a 192 beam Nd-glass laser facility presently under construction at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) for performing inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and experiments studying high energy density (HED) science. When completed in 2009, NIF will be able to produce 1.8 MJ, 500 TW of ultraviolet light for target experiments that will create conditions of extreme temperatures (>108 K), pressures (10-GBar) and matter densities (> 100 g/cm3). A detailed program called the National Ignition Campaign (NIC) has been developed to enable ignition experiments in 2010, with the goal of producing fusion ignition and burn of a deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel mixture in millimeter-scale target capsules. The first of the target experiments leading up to these ignition shots will begin in 2008. Targets for the National Ignition Campaign are both complex and precise, and are extraordinarily demanding in materials fabrication, machining, assembly, cryogenics and characterization. An overview of the campaign for ignition will be presented, along with technologies for target fabrication, assembly and metrology and advances in growth and x-ray imaging of DT ice layers. The sum of these efforts represents a quantum leap in target precision, characterization, manufacturing rate and flexibility over current state-of-the-art.

Design of Ignition Targets for the National Ignition Facility

Design of Ignition Targets for the National Ignition Facility PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 8

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Book Description
This is a brief update on the work being done to design ignition targets for the National Ignition Facility. Updates are presented on three areas of current activity : improvements in modeling, work on a variety of targets spanning the parameter space of possible ignition targets ; and the setting of specifications for target fabrication and diagnostics. Highlights of recent activity include : a simulation of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability growth on an imploding capsule, done in 3D on a 72° by 72° wedge, with enough zones to resolve modes out to 100 ; and designs of targets at 250eV and 350eV, as well as the baseline 300 eV ; and variation of the central DT gas density, which influences both the Rayleigh-Taylor growth and the smoothness of the DT ice layer.