HTSC MAGLEV SYSTEMS FOR IFE TARGET TRANSPORT APPLICATIONS

摘要

A challenge in inertial fusion energy (IFE) research is to deliver the target to the target chamber center at a high repetition rate. Therefore, the problem of target fabrication and delivery is focused on methods that scale to highly repeatable and cost-effective target production. In this paper, we investigate the possibility of using magnetic-levitation (maglev) transport systems for noncontact manipulation, positioning, and delivery of the cryogenic targets. We focus on the development of transport systems based on movement of high-temperature superconductors (HTSC) over a permanent magnet guideway (PMG). Active guidance is achieved using the HTSC ceramics YB_(a2)Cu_3O_(7-x) and PMG, where an ordered motion is initiated by a special arrangement of the permanent magnets. At present, significant R&D programs are ongoing in order to fulfill the technical requirements and basic elements of the system's operation as a maglev target accelerator. We present here the main results of this work along with recent results.