Magnetized Target Fusion: Input to the 35-yr Fusion Long-Range Electric Plan G. A. Wurden Fusion Energy Program Office Los Alamos National Laboratory Jan. 14, 2003 Magnetized Target Fusion: Input to the 35-yr Fusion Long-Range Electric Plan • Imagine a fusion concept where: • The plasma beta ranges from 0.5 to 1 • The heart of the device fits on a modest table-top • The plasma density is high >1019 cm-3 • The magnetic field confining the plasma is 500 Tesla ! • The auxiliary heating power level is ~ 1000 Gigawatts ! • The heating is “slow” adiabatic compression • Most of the initial physics research can be conducted with existing facilities and technology • In a reactor, on each pulse the liquid first wall would be completely fresh • The repetition rate is ~0.1 Hertz, so that there is time to clear the chamber from the previous event, and time to insert a new “target” Magnetized Target Fusion: Input to the 35-yr Fusion Long-Range Electric Plan • MTF offers a uniquely different pathway to achieving controlled thermonuclear fusion in the laboratory — Intermediate between MFE and IFE • Presently only funded at the “Concept Exploration” level, it could operate at the “Proof of Principle” level in the very near term on Shiva Star in Albuquerque • With existing pulsed power facilities, (ie, Atlas, which is now at the Nevada Test Site)… it offers the possibility of Performance Extension levels of fusion output (ie, Q~1) within a 5-8 year timeframe, at very modest costs. Magnetized Target Fusion: Input to the 35-yr Fusion Long-Range Electric Plan Starting next year, we would envision: • A 4-year integrated plasma/liner “physics” experiment to demonstrate implosions of interesting FRC target plasmas on Shiva Star (1-3 MJ driver level). (still CE) • A 4-year multi-experiment CE level-of-effort to study the technology of possible “stand-off” drivers for rep-rating MTF. This could include studies of other candidate target plasmas. • In parallel, a 4-year “Proof of Principle” program resulting in combined modeling and experimental understanding of high performance DD plasmas on Atlas (5-10 MJ driver level). Magnetized Target Fusion: Input to the 35-yr Fusion Long-Range Electric Plan • Use of DT in experiments to demonstrate batch burn fusion gain of 5-10, if warranted by results from 3). An interesting possibility is that these kinds of experiments could be conducted outdoors at LANL or NTS • Technology development of a “scaled” flowing liquid-wall chamber. Goal of handling 1 Gigajoule yields in a ~ 10 meter diameter vessel (ie, NIF size). • Demonstration of fusion gains in the range of 20-100, using more exotic burn/refueling/compression scenarios. • Development of suitable pulsed power/energy handling technologies with fatigue lifetimes relevant for a reactor (this is really difficult). • Finally, doing it all economically, given the present and future value of a Megajoule of electricity, needs reactor study efforts. Magnetized Target Fusion: Input to the 35-yr Fusion Long-Range Electric Plan In summary: MTF provides an exciting “new” approach to controlled fusion in the laboratory. (The basic idea is only 40 years old, but the integration is new!). The application of a magnetic field to inhibit heat flow in an inertially compressed (high pressure) target plasma is a very general idea, with many possible implementations, both for targets, and drivers. Pulsed fusion power generators are not necessarily a bad thing! No materials dpa issues, no first wall surface problem (destroy it on each pulse!), no erosion/redeposition, no divertor……. Magnetized Target Fusion: Input to the 35-yr Fusion Long-Range Electric Plan • Our web pages are at: http://fusionenergy.lanl.gov and http://wsx.lanl.gov • “Amplification of magnetic fields and heating of plasma by a collapsing metallic shell”, by Linhart, Knoepfel, and Gourlain, Nuclear Fusion, CN-10/11, supl. Pt. 2, 733 (1962). • “Why Magnetized Target Fusion Offers a Low-Cost Development Path for Fusion Energy”, by Siemon, Lindemuth, and Schoenberg, Comments Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion, Vol 18, No. 6, pg 363-386 (1999). • “Scaling Relations for High-Gain Magnetized Target Fusion Systems”, by D. Barnes, Comments Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion, Vol 18, No. 2, pg 71-84 (1997).