Magnetized Target Fusion. A Proof-of-Principle Research Proposal

摘要

We propose a three-year, $6.6 million per year, Proof-of-principle (PoP) program to establish the scientific basis of Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) as a faster and cheaper approach to fusion energy. To explore this truly different fusion concepts we will take advantage of compact toroid (CT) research developed by the magnetic fusion energy program (MFE) in the past 20 years. The CT plasma is the target, which we will implode using well-established liner technology developed by DOE and DoD defense programs research in recent years. The magnetic topology of the CT should provide enough thermal energy confinement to allow compressional heating of the plasma to fusion-relevant conditions. Fusion energy will be generated in a micro-second puke during which pressure (plasma and magnetic) is inertially confined by the imploding liner wall. This specific CT approach to small-size, high-densityn just a few years at modest cost using available pulse & power facilities. Success in understanding will require both experiments and large-scale numerical computation.