PROGRAM AREA OVERVIEW --
FUSION ENERGY SCIENCES

The Department of Energy sponsors fusion science and technology research as a valuable investment in the clean energy future of this country and the world, as well as to sustain a field of scientific research - plasma physics - that is important in its own right and has produced insights and techniques applicable in other fields of science and industry. The mission of the Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program is to acquire the knowledge base needed for an economically and environmentally attractive fusion energy source. FES research efforts seek to: (1) understand the physics of plasmas, the fourth state of matter – plasmas constitute most of the visible universe, both stellar and interstellar, and progress in plasma physics has been the prime engine driving progress in fusion research; (2) identify and explore innovative and cost-effective development paths to fusion energy – the current fusion program encourages research on a wide range of approaches including the Tokamak (the leading power plant candidate), other magnetic configurations, and inertial fusion energy using particle beams or lasers; and (3) explore the science and technology of energy producing plasmas, the next frontier in fusion research, as a partner in a international effort – reducing costs, avoiding duplication of efforts, and bringing the best available scientific and engineering talent together to seek solutions to complex problems can best be done through the cooperative efforts of the world fusion community.

This is a time of important progress and discovery in fusion research. The FES program is making great progress in understanding turbulent losses of particles and energy across magnetic field lines used to confine fusion fuels, identifying and exploring innovative approaches to fusion power that may lead to more economical power plants, and encouraging private sector interests to apply concepts developed in the fusion research program. It is felt that small businesses, by performing research within the following technical topics, can make significant contributions to these efforts. This solicitation is restricted to science and technology relevant to magnetically confined plasmas and inertial fusion energy. Grant applications pertaining to fusion energy concepts not based specifically on the use of plasmas for producing energy/electricity for non-defense purposes will be declined.

1. FUSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

T he Fusion Energy Sciences program currently supports several fusion experiments with many common objectives. These include expanding the scientific understanding of plasma behavior and improving the performance of high temperature plasma for eventual energy production. The goals of this topic are to develop and demonstrate innovative techniques, instrumentation, and concepts for measuring magnetic plasma parameters; for plasma processing; and for magnetic plasma simulation, control, and data analysis; and for innovative approaches to fusion. It is also intended that concepts developed as part of the fusion research program will have application to industries in the private sector. A list of items under the heading “Goods and Services that are needed by the Fusion laboratories” can be found in the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences Website (URL: WWW.OFES.SCIENCE.DOE.GOV). Grant applications are sought only in the following subtopics:

a. Diagnostics for Magnetic and Inertial Fusion Plasma Research - Grant applications are sought to develop: (1) measurement techniques for parameters such as plasma density, electron and ion temperature, plasma current and current density, plasma position and shape, impurity density, magnetic field strength, ambipolar potentials, and radiation from the plasma; (2) new diagnostics for measurements in three-dimensional plasmas characteristic of stellarators, as well as diagnostics that are especially adapted to other innovative experiments; (3) diagnostic methods for examining the edge and divertor regions in Tokamak plasmas and for understanding electron thermal transport (e.g., high-k fluctuation diagnostics, core magnetic fluctuation diagnostics, and profile diagnostics on smaller devices); (4) diagnostics applicable to the management of particle and energy inventory, to profile control and thermal barrier formation, and to burning plasmas including ITER; and (5) diagnostics for the visualization of turbulence in two and three dimensions, and the imaging of non-thermal electrons in two dimensions. Both new techniques and methods to improve the accuracy and resolution of existing diagnostics (e.g., improving the signal-to-noise ratio or extending the range of measured parameters) are of interest. Measurements must be both spatially and temporarily resolved for both the absolute values of parameters and for small relative differences. Real-time measurements of the pertinent parameters will be required for providing feedback and plasma control. Further information on experiments on innovative fusion concepts is available at the OFES website.

Grant applications are also sought to apply diagnostics technology, developed for fusion energy, to the use of plasmas in manufacturing. These grant applications should show how the application of these diagnostics would contribute to the understanding of plasmas used in manufacturing, as well as provide an improved basis for modelling these plasmas.

Grant applications are also sought to develop instrumentation and time-resolved measurement techniques of high-charge-density, heavy-ion beams of energy greater than 0.5 MeV and radius ~1 to 5 cm. Beam parameters of interest include current, density distribution, beam position, energy, energy distribution, emittance, and space potential, in the Injector, Transport, and Final Focus sections. Of particular interest are innovative non-intercepting position detectors and optical (including scintillator-based) beam diagnostics suitable for rapid characterization of beams in both the present (0.5 to 2 MeV) and higher energy ranges, and diagnostics for characterizing trapped secondary electron distributions. Further information may be obtained in the HIF Symposia series (see reference for 12th International Symposium).

b. Components for Heating and Fueling of Fusion Plasmas and Tokamak Facility Operations – Tools are needed to support fusion experimental research in such areas as plasma heating and the control of temperature profile, plasma density, and plasma density profile. Grant applications are sought to develop: (1) components related to the generation, transmission, and launching of high power electromagnetic waves in the frequency ranges of ion cyclotron resonance heating (50 to 300 MHz), lower hybrid resonance heating (2 to 20 GHz), and electron cyclotron resonance heating (100 to 300 GHz); (2) concepts that would generate energetic neutral beams; (3) computer codes for maintainability/reliability assurance technologies and plant operation simulation codes applicable to fusion experiments; and (4) artificial intelligence techniques to monitor Tokamak plant operation and real-time or impending fault conditions. Areas of interest include: components such as power supplies, fault protection devices, antenna and launching systems, tuning and matching systems, unidirectional couplers, circulators, mode convertors, windows, output couplers, and loads; diagnostics to evaluate the performance of these components; and energy extraction systems for spent electron beams and particle accelerators.

c. Plasma Simulation and Data Analysis - The simulation of fusion plasmas is important to the development of plasma discharge feedback and control techniques. The simulations can be used to make reliable predictions of the performance of proposed feedback and control schemes and to identify those that should be tested experimentally. Unfortunately, accurate simulations of fusion plasmas are very difficult because of the enormous range of temporal and spatial scales involved in plasma behavior. Considerable progress has been made in recent years in understanding and simulating plasma turbulence along with associated transport, macroscopic equilibrium and stability, and the behavior of the edge plasma. However, there remains a need to integrate the various plasma models. Grant applications are sought to develop computer algorithms applicable to plasma simulations that account for an expanded number of plasma features and an integration of plasma models. Some examples of possible approaches include algorithms that incorporate mathematical techniques such as neural networks, sparse linear solvers, and adaptive meshes; algorithms for coupling disparate time and space scales; efficient methods for facilitating comparison of simulation results with experimental data; and visualization tools for local and remote analysis and presentation of multi-dimensional time dependent data.

Grant applications are also sought to develop software tools useful for the analysis and distribution of fusion data. Areas of interest include methods for coupling codes across architectures and through the Internet; techniques for making highly configurable scientific codes; data management and analysis techniques for large data sets; and remote collaboration tools that enhance the ability of a geographically distributed group of scientists to interact in real time.

The computer algorithms and programming tools should be developed using modern software techniques and should be based on the best available models of plasma behavior.

d. Components for Innovative Approaches to Fusion - Innovative confinement concepts is a broad-based, long-range, fusion research activity that specifically addresses parameters that could lead to attractive and practical use of fusion power. This research includes investigations in stellarators, spherical torus, reversed field pinches, field reversed configurations (FRC), spheromaks, magnetized target fusion, levitated dipole, flow-stabilized (long-pulse) z-pinch, rotationally stabilized magnetic mirror, inertial electrostatic confinement, and magneto-Bernoulli confinement. Grant applications are sought for scientific and/or engineering developments in support of any aspect of these research activities. In particular, plasma accelerators, capable of launching 0.1 mg to 1 mg of plasma/plasmoid to velocities in excess of 200 km/s with a timing precision better than a microsecond down to nanoseconds and with a controllable density profile of high uniformity and purity are sought. Further information on experiments on innovative fusion concepts is available at the OFES website.

Lastly, grant applications are sought to develop innovative, high-economic-value, non-electric applications that could be considered as spin-offs from fusion research, including but not limited to the production of medical isotopes, industrial applications, nuclear instrumentation, explosives detection, processing of hazardous materials, and space applications.

References:

Subtopic a: Diagnostics for Magnetic and Inertial Fusion Plasma Research

1. Helstrom, C. W., Statistical Theory of Signal Detection, New York: Pergamon Press, January 1968. (ISBN: 0080132650)

2. Hutchinson, I. H., Principles of Plasma Diagnostics, Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press, 1987. (ISBN: 0-521-326222-0)

3. Kosko, B., Neural Networks for Signal Processing, New York: Prentice Hall, 1992. (ISBN: 0-13-617390-X)

4. Luhmann, N. C. and Peebles, W. A., “Instrumentation of Magnetically Confined Fusion Plasma Diagnostics,” Review of Scientific Instruments, 55(3):279-331, March 1984. (ISSN: 0034-6748)

6. Report on the Workshop on Measurement Needs in Magnetic Fusion Plasmas, Germantown, MD, February 25, 1998 . (Available on the Web at: http://wwwofe.er.doe.gov/More_HTML/pdffiles/diag.pdf)

7. Simpson, P. K., Artificial Neural Systems: Foundations, Paradigms, Applications and Implementations, New York: Pergamon Press, February 1990. (Hardcover ISBN: 0080378951; Paperback ISBN: 0080378943)

8. Stott, P. E., ed., Diagnostics for Experimental Thermonuclear Fusion Reactors: Proceedings of the International Workshop of Diagnostics for ITER, Varenna, Italy, Aug. 28-Sept. 1, 1995, New York: Plenum Press, 1996. (ISBN: 0-306-45297-9)

Subtopic b: Components for Heating and Fueling of Fusion Plasmas and Tokamak Facility Operations

9. Mau, T. K. and deGrassie, J., eds., 14th Topical Conference on Radio Frequency Power in Plasmas, Oxnard, CA, May 2001, New York: American Institute of Physics, December 2001. (AIP Conference Proceedings No. 595) (ISBN: 0735400385) (Ordering information available at: http://www.springer-ny.com)

10. Cairns, R. A. and Phelps, A. D., “Generation and Application of High Power Microwaves,” Proceedings of the Forty-Eighth Scottish Universities Summer School in Physics (SUSSP), St. Andrews, Scotland, August 1996 Institute of Physics Publishing, January 1997. (ISBN: 075030474X) (Ordering information available at: http://bookmark.iop.org/browse.htm. Using “Advanced Search,” search for ISBN.)

11. Temkin, R. J., ed., Twenty-Seventh International Conference on Infrared and Millimeter Waves, Conference Digest, Piscataway, NJ: IEEE Press, 2002. (IEEE Catalog Number 02EX561) (ISBN 0-7803-7423-1) (Ordering information available at: http://shop.ieee.org/store/ )

Subtopic c: Plasma Simulation and Data Analysis

12. Foster, I. , et al., The Physiology of the Grid, Internet Draft, June 22, 2002 . (Full text available at: http://www.gridforum.org/ogsi-wg/drafts/ogsa_draft2.9_2002-06-22.pdf)

13. Chervenak, A., et al., “The Data Grid: Towards an Architecture for the Distributed Management and Analysis of Large Scientific Datasets,” Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 23:187-200, 2001. (Based on conference publication from Proceedings of NetStore Conference 1999) (Full text available at: http://www.globus.org/documentation/incoming/JNCApaper.pdf)

14. Booth, D., et al., eds., Web Services Architecture, W3C Working Draft 14, May 2003. (Full text available at: http://www.w3.org/TR/ws-arch/)

15. Gropp, W., et al., Using MPI, MIT Press, November 1999. (ISBN: 0-262-57132-3)

16. Oran, E. S. and Boris, J. P., Numerical Simulation of Reactive Flow, 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press, December 2000. (ISBN: 0521581753)

17. Blum, J., Numerical Simulation and Optimal Control in Plasma Physics; with Applications to Tokamaks, New York: Wiley, 1989. (Gauthier-Villars Series in Modern Applied Mathematics) (ISBN: 0471921874)

18. Dawson, J. M., et al., “High Performance Computing and Plasma Physics,” Physics Today, 46(3):64-70, March 1993. (ISSN: 0031-9228)

19. Bolton, F., Pure CORBA, 1st ed., Sams Publishing, July 16, 2001. (ISBN: 0672318121) (For more information see Pure CORBA Web site at: http://www.pure-corba.com/)

Subtopic d: Components for Innovative Approaches to Fusion

20. ICC2003: Innovative Confinement Concepts [Workshop], Seattle, WA, May 28-30, 2003, sponsored by U.S. DOE Office of Fusion Energy Sciences. (Abstracts and posters available at: https://wormhole.ucllnl.org/ICC2003/abstractlist.html)

2. ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND MATERIALS FOR FUSION ENERGY SYSTEMS

An attractive fusion energy source will require the development of superconducting magnets and materials as well as technologies that can withstand the high levels of surface heat flux and neutron wall loads expected for the in-vessel components of future fusion energy systems. These technologies and materials will need to be substantially advanced relative to today's capabilities in order to achieve safe, reliable, economic, and environmentally-benign operation of fusion energy systems. A list of items under the heading “Goods and Services that are needed by the Fusion laboratories” can be found in the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences Website (URL: http://www.ofes.science.doe.gov). Grant applications are sought only in the following subtopics:

a. Structural Materials and Coatings - Grant applications are sought for research that will enable the development of advanced reduced activation materials and electrically insulating coatings. Materials systems of interest are limited to the following: (1) vanadium alloys, (2) oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steels, (3) high-toughness tungsten alloys, (4) SiC/SiC composite or graphite-fiber/SiC-matrix structural composites, and (5) electrically insulating coatings on vanadium to reduce magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects in liquid lithium cooled systems. For vanadium alloys, areas of interest include the development of improved multiphase alloys, increased oxidation resistance, and decreased sensitivity to bulk ductility degradation associated with gaseous impurity pickup. For ODS ferritic steels, areas of interest include developing low cost production techniques, improved isotropy of mechanical properties, joining methods, and the development of improved steels with the capability of operating up to ~800˚C while maintaining adequate fracture toughness at room temperature and above. For tungsten alloys, areas of interest include improvements in the grain boundary strength, fracture toughness, and joining techniques. For SiC/SiC composites, the primary areas of interest are the development of radiation resistant hermetic coatings and the development of advanced joining processes; techniques to improve thermal conductivity are of secondary interest. For electrically insulating coatings, the reduction of MHD effects are of primary interest; but grant applications also must account for compatibility with both the coated vanadium alloy and a liquid lithium coolant for long time operation at 400-700˚C, the use of candidate coatings on actual system components, and the long term reliability and/or in situ repair of defects that could develop in the coating.

Grant applications are also sought to develop: (1) innovative new modeling tools ranging from atomistic and molecular dynamics simulations of atomic collision and defect migration events (including solute binding effects) to improved finite element analysis (mechanical deformation and fracture) or thermodynamic stability (materials by design) tools; and (2) innovative methods or experimental apparatuses that would enhance the ability to obtain key mechanical or physical property data on miniaturized specimens – of particular interest is the micromechanics evaluation of deformation and fracture processes.

In this subtopic, the emphasis is on materials for structural applications; grant applications for issues related to plasma-surface interactions will not be considered. Also, grant applications related to general fabrication techniques and the economics of SiC composite component fabrication (e.g., low cost production methods) are not of interest.

b. Particle and Heat Removal with Liquid Surfaces – Innovative liquid surface concepts are desired for heat removal from surface heat fluxes at first walls and divertors of about 2 MW/m² and 50 MW/m², respectively, with good safety, reliability, and maintenance features. Current interests are focused on evaluating the use of flowing liquids with direct exposure to the plasma that can potentially remove particles as well as surface heat. Candidate liquid metals include lithium, tin-lithium, tin, gallium, and lead-lithium. Other candidate liquids are lithium bearing salts, such as BeF₂-LiF and BeF₂-LiF-NaF. Grant applications are sought to develop: (1) techniques for the removal of first wall and divertor heat loads by free surface flowing liquids (proposed techniques should address the effect of magnetohydrodynamics on heat transfer and should also consider heat removal enhancement techniques, such as turbulence promoters); (2) efficient nonlinear solution methods, as well as alternate object-oriented languages for computational tools, to model fusion-relevant issues of liquid wall flows, such as heat transfer at free surfaces and free flows with magnetohydrodynamic effects and turbulence; (3) techniques, such as the addition of alloying materials, to improve the compatibility of candidate liquids with either the plasma operation (e.g. lowering vapor pressure) or with structural/insulator materials (e.g. ceramic insulators that can be wetted by Li); (4) nozzles for liquid injection (e.g., streams, jets, films, and droplets) and collection/removal techniques that are drip and splash free, self-cooling, and efficient in head recovery at the outlet; (5) non-invasive diagnostics for experiments to study high temperature free surface liquid flows in magnetic fields (such diagnostics might include measurements of mean flow velocity, turbulence intensity, velocity fluctuations, flow depth, and surface/depth temperature profiles); (6) efficient techniques for pumping liquid metals in the presence of a magnetic field, including the production of free surface flows; and (7) techniques for validation of fluid flow and heat transfer models.

c. Superconducting Magnets and Materials - New or advanced superconducting magnet concepts are needed for plasma fusion confinement systems; i.e., high field magnets (12 to 20 T) and low loss pulsed magnets. Grant applications are sought for: (1) innovative and advanced materials and manufacturing processes that have a high potential for improved conductor performance and low fabrication costs; (2) cryogenic superconductor materials with high critical current density, low sensitivity to strain degradation effects, and radiation resistance; (3) novel, low-cost cable designs and fabrication techniques, which minimize conductor strain; (4) superconducting joints for high field and pulsed applications; (5) novel, advanced sensors and instrumentation for non-invasively monitoring magnet and helium parameters (e.g., pressure, temperature, voltage, mass flow, quench, etc.); (6) thick (15-30 cm) weldable structural case materials with high strength and toughness at 4 K; (7) welding techniques for such thick cryogenic structural materials; and (8) radiation-resistant electrical insulators (e.g., wrapable inorganic insulators and low viscosity organic insulators, which exhibit low out gassing under irradiation).

References:

Subtopic a: Structural Materials and Coatings

1. Bloom, E. E., “The Challenge of Developing Structural Materials for Fusion Power Systems,” Journal of Nuclear Materials, 258-263:7-17, 1998. (ISSN: 0022-3115)

2. Bloom, E. E., et al., “Advanced Materials Program,” (Appendix C to the Virtual Laboratory for Technology Roadmap document: Baker, C. C., The U.S. Technology Program), January 1999. (Full text available at: http://www.ms.ornl.gov/programs/fusionmatls/planning.htm. Select title.)

3. U.S. Program Planning, U.S. DOE Oak Ridge National Laboratory, http://www.ms.ornl.gov/programs/fusionmatls/planning.htm

4. Ehrlich, K., et al., “International Strategy for Fusion Materials Development,” Journal of Nuclear Materials, 283-287:79-88, 2000. (ISSN: 0022-3115)

5. Fusion Materials Science Program, U.S. DOE Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, http://www.fusionmaterials.pnl.gov/

6. “Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Fusion Reactor Materials (ICFRM-9), Colorado Springs, CO, October 1999,” Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vols. 283-287, 2000. (ISSN: 0022-3115)

7. Stoller, R. E., et al., A Whitepaper Proposing an Integrated Program of Theoretical, Experimental, and Database Research for the Development of Advanced Fusion Materials, U.S. Department of Energy, November 1999. (Full text available at: http://www.ms.ornl.gov/programs/fusionmatls/pdf/modeling-whitepaper-final.pdf)

8. Fusion Materials Sciences Semiannual Progress Reports, U.S. DOE Oak Ridge National Laboratory, http://www.ms.ornl.gov/programs/fusionmatls/pubs/semiannual.htm

9. Zinkle, S. J. and Ghoniem, N. M., “Operating Temperature Windows for Fusion Reactor Structural Materials,” Fusion Engineering and Design, 49-50:709-717, 2000. (ISSN: 0920-3796)

Subtopic b: Particle and Heat Removal with Liquid Surfaces

10. Advanced Limiter-divertor Plasma-facing Systems [ALPS] Report, U.S. DOE ALPS Information Center, August 2001. (Full text available at: http://fusion.anl.gov/ALPS_Info_Center/. On left menu select “DOCS,” then “Publications.” Select title to open link to full-text pdf file.)

11. Abdou, M. A., et al., eds., “Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Fusion Nuclear Technology, Los Angeles, CA, June 4-6, 1994 ,” Fusion Engineering and Design, 27-29(parts A-C), March 1995. (ISSN: 0920-3796)

12. Abdou, M. and the APEX Team, “Exploring Novel High Power Density Concepts for Attractive Fusion Systems,” Fusion Engineering and Design, 45:145-167, 1999. (ISSN: 0920-3796)

13. Advanced Power EXtraction (APEX), University of California, Los Angeles, http://www.fusion.ucla.edu/APEX/

14. Bastasz, R. and Eckstein, W., “Plasma-Surface Interactions on Liquids,” Journal of Nuclear Materials, 290-293:19-24, 2001. (ISSN: 0022-3115)

15. Mattas, R. F., et al., “ ALPS - Advanced Limiter-divertor-Plasma-facing Systems,” Fusion Engineering and Design, 49:127-134, 2000 (ISSN: 0920-3796)

Subtopic c: Superconducting Magnets and Materials

16. Seeber, B., ed., Handbook of Applied Superconductivity, 2 Vols., Bristol, England: Institute of Physics Publishing, January 1998. (ISBN: 0750303778)

17. Lee, P., ed., Engineering Superconductivity, New York: Wiley Interscience, 2001. (ISBN: 0-471-41116-7)

18. Asner, F. M., High Field Superconducting Magnets, Oxford, England: Oxford Science Publications, 1999. (ISBN: 0-19-851764-5) (Product description, including TOC, plus ordering information available at: http://www.oup-usa.org/toc/tc_0198517645.html )

19. Poole , C. P., Jr., et al., eds., Handbook of Superconductivity, Academic Press, 2000. (ISBN: 0125614608) (Ordering information and full index available at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0125614608/104-6888958-8643120?vi=glance

20. Iwasa, Y., Case Studies in Superconducting Magnets: Design and Operational Issues, New York: Plenum Press, 1994. (ISBN: 0-306-44881-5)

21. Wilson , M. N., Superconducting Magnets, Chilton, England: Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1983. (Monographs on Cryogenics) (ISBN: 0-19-854805-2)

3. INERTIAL FUSION ENERGY

Inertial fusion energy is produced by ignition and burn of an energy-producing target. Conditions necessary for ignition and burn result from the external application of energy to the fuel target by an external driver. Although several drivers such as lasers and ion beams have been considered, the emphasis in the fusion energy science program is on intense heavy ion beams as drivers. These beams are produced by induction linear accelerators with components to produce, accelerate, transport, and focus beams of required energy and intensity. The Fusion Energy Sciences program in inertial fusion energy supports research and technology in the generation, transport, and measurement of these heavy ion beams. There is also interest in selected technology topics with relevance to different inertial fusion energy driver concepts. A list of items under the heading “Goods and Services that are needed by the Fusion laboratories” can be found in the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences Website (URL: WWW.OFES.SCIENCE.DOE.GOV). Grant applications are sought only in the following subtopics:

a. Beam Generation and Transport – Grant applications are sought for the development of high current, high brightness ion sources for heavy ion induction linacs that can produce beam currents >0.5 A with <1 π mm-mrad emittance and short pulse lengths ~ 1 msec, and that can be extended to compact arrays of multiple beams. Grant applications are also sought for prototypes of multiple beam arrays of superconducting quadrupoles for multiple beam transport, the array cryostat, and cryogenic leads in a compact design that is compatible with induction acceleration modules. The focusing unit of interest consists of a doublet of quadrupole arrays in a common cryostat, with typical parameters as follows: number of channels, 4-12; lattice length, 45 cm; clear bore diameter, 50-70 mm; central field gradient above 100 T/m; and magnetic length, ~10cm. Careful consideration of the termination of the magnetic fields at the periphery of the array is required to ensure adequate field quality.

b. Models for Electron Production in Accelerators for Heavy-Ion Beam-Driven Fusion – Grant applications are sought for computational modules to calculate (1) cross-sections for the production of neutrals, ions, and electrons via wall bombardment by beam ions and other species, (2) source distribution functions for the resultant products, (3) cross sections for ionization and charge-exchange of the neutrals by the ion beam, and (4) the volumetric evolution of neutral gas. Grant applications are also sought for the development of a set of subroutines suitable for straightforward inclusion into existing intense-beam simulation codes (such as WARP, BEST, and/or LSP). Initial calculations using these models should be carried out in a regime relevant to the upcoming high current experiments at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). The models should be sufficiently general that they can be applied to a wide variety of ion accelerators for a broad range of applications.

c. Technology for Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE)¾In an inertial fusion power plant, targets must be repetitively injected into a reactor chamber and driven by either a heavy ion beam, a high power laser, or a pulsed power machine (z-pinch or magnetized target fusion). The targets must be fabricated and injected with great precision. Moreover, the target releases a high intensity burst of neutrons, energetic particles, and x-rays that must be contained within the chamber. Grant applications are sought to develop:

(1) Damage resistant chamber materials. The x-rays, neutrons, and particle debris released in inertial fusion have energies up to several MJ/m² and are emitted on a time scale from 1 ns to 100 microseconds. Wall materials must survive this environment for periods of up to several years at repetition rates up to 10 Hz. The wall materials must provide low radioactivity under neutron exposure and high temperature operation consistent with efficient power production. Innovative materials, which can withstand this environment, are sought. Schemes that can protect or shield the first wall are also of interest. In addition, innovative low-cost approaches for testing pulsed damage resistance of chamber materials are needed.

(2) Numerical models for simulating the behavior of target debris in chambers following energy release. This includes interactions of high-energy (MeV) particles with the surrounding gas/plasma mixture, high-temperature plasma dynamics and radiation processes, and effects of external magnetic fields on the transport of target debris through the chamber.

(3) Damage resistant laser optics and optics protection methods for the last optical element before the reactor chamber in a laser fusion system. Both metal mirrors and fused silica windows have been proposed for this "final optic," but other technologies may be appropriate. The final optic must operate at 1/4 to 1/3 micron wavelength and must be protected from exposure or capable of withstanding pulsed irradiation by neutrons, x-rays, and debris. In either approach, the optical elements must survive for several years.

(4) Low-cost fabrication methods for mass-produced inertial fusion energy targets, including targets filled with deuterium-tritium fuel and coated with a protective layer. In an IFE power plant, about 500,000 cryogenic targets must be prepared and injected each day at a rate of 5-10 Hz into a target chamber operating at elevated temperatures. These targets must be precisely made and cost less than $0.30 each.

(5) Methods for target injection and tracking. Targets driven by heavy ion or laser beams must be injected into the chamber at a rate of 5-10 Hz, at velocities from 200 to 400 m/s, and with an acceleration approaching 1000 g. The targets also must be tracked precisely inside the chamber. Gas guns, electrostatic accelerators, and electromagnetic accelerators are being evaluated as candidate target injectors. Techniques to accurately track the target (in order to steer them or the driver beams) are also needed.

(6) Design, construction, testing, and efficient procedures for the repetitive replacement of recyclable transmission line (RTL), target assembly, and close-packed coolant. For pulsed-power drivers (z-pinch and magnetized target fusion), the RTL, target assembly, and close-packed coolant (for shock mitigation) must be repetitively replaced on a relatively slow time scale (about 0.1 Hz).

(7) Crystal growth of Yb-doped Sr5 (PO4)3F, or Yb:S-FAP crystals. Laser-quality crystals of dimensions 4 x 6 x 0.8 cm³ are needed for installation into the candidate IFE driver based on diode-pumped solid state lasers. All crystal growth methods will be considered including Czochralski and the Heat Exchanger Method (HEM). Currently, each method entails synthesis of the melt from the following starting materials: SrHPO4, SrCO3, SrF2 and Yb2O3. However, other synthesis methods also are of interest. Large, high-quality crystals should be obtained by starting with a seed, and, under appropriate conditions, pulling the crystal from the melt as in the Czochralski method or directionally solidifying the melt in the case of the HEM. Seven specific defects must be managed: cloudiness in as-grown crystals, an anomalous Yb-related absorption, low-angle grain boundaries, bubble core, cracking, second phase inclusions that form around the outside of Czochralski grown crystals, and color centers in HEM crystals. Colorless, high quality, crystals with an Yb-doping level greater than or equal to1.5 x 10¹⁹ ions/cm³ in the resulting crystal are required for laser development. In addition, the residual stress in crystals must be low enough so that slabs can be fabricated without cracking.

References:

Subtopic a: Beam Generation and Transport, and
Subtopic b: Models for Electron Production in Accelerators for Heavy-Ion Beam-Driven Fusion

1. Caporaso, G. J. “Progress in Induction LINACs,” Proceedings of the XX International Linac Conference, (Linac 2000), Monterey, CA, August 21-25, 2000, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, September 2000. (Full Linac 2000 proceedings available at: http://www.slac.stanford.edu/econf/C000821. For Caparaso paper, select “Author List” on left menu, scroll down to Caparaso, and select “WE101.”)

2. Cook, E. G. “Review of Solid State Modulators,” Proceedings of the XX International Linac Conference, (Linac 2000), Monterey, CA, August 21-25, 2000, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, September 2000. (Full Linac 2000 proceedings available at: http://www.slac.stanford.edu/econf/C000821 . For Cook paper, select “Author List” on left menu, scroll down to Cook, and select “WE103.”)

3. Grote, D. P., et al., “New Methods in WARP,” Proceedings of the International Computational Accelerator Physics Conference, Monterey, CA, September 14-18, 1998, American Institute of Physics, 1998. (Full text of paper available at: http://www.slac.stanford.edu/xorg/icap98/papers/C-Tu08.pdf)

4. Molvik, A. W. and Faltens, A., “Induction Core Alloys for Heavy-Ion Fusion-Energy Accelerators,” Physical Review Special Topics - Accelerators and Beams, Vol. 5, Article 080401, August 5, 2002. (Full text available at: http://prst-ab.aps.org/. Search by Vol. and Article no.)

5. “Proceedings of the 12th International Symposium on Heavy Ion Inertial Fusion, Heidelberg, Germany, September 24-27, 1997 ,” Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 415(1, 2), 1998. (ISSN: 0168-9002) (Special Issue) (Titles and abstracts of symposium documents available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01689002)

6. “Proceedings of the 13th International Symposium on Heavy Ion Inertial Fusion, San Diego, CA, March 13-17, 2000,” Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research, Section A, 464(1-3), 2001. (ISSN: 0168-9002) (Titles and abstracts of symposium documents available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01689002 )

7. Sabbi, G. L., et al., “Development of Superconducting Quadrupoles for Heavy Ion Fusion,” Proceedings of the 2001 Particle Accelerator Conference, Chicago, IL, June 18-22, 2001, New York: APS/IEEE, 2001. (ISBN: 0-7803-7193-3) (IEEE Order No.01CH37268C) (Full proceedings available at: http://pac2001.aps.anl.gov/. Select “Conference Proceedings,” and search under “Author Index.”)

Subtopic c. Technology for Inertial Fusion Energy

8. Bodner, S. E., et al., “High-Gain Direct-Drive Target Design for Laser Fusion,” Physics of Plasmas, 7(6):2298-2301, June 2000. (ISSN: 1070-664X)

9. Callahan-Miller, D. A. and Tabak, M., “A Distributed Radiator Heavy Ion Target Driven by Gaussian Beams in a Multibeam Illumination Geometry,” Nuclear Fusion, 39(7):883-892, July 1999. (ISSN: 0029-5515)

10. Goodin, D. T., et al., “Developing the Basis for Target Injection and Tracking in Inertial Fusion Energy ( IFE ) Power Plants,” Fusion Engineering and Design, 60:26-36, 2002. (ISSN: 0920-3796)

11. Goodin, D.T., et al., “Progress Towards Demonstrating IFE Target Fabrication and Injection,” Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Inertial Fusion Sciences and Applications: IFSA 2001, Kyoto, Japan, September 9-14, 2001, p. 746, Paris: Elsevier, 2002. (ISBN: 2-84299-407-8) (ISSN: 1622-9878)

12. IFE papers in “Proceedings of the American Nuclear Society 14th Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy, October 15-19, 2000, Park City, UT,” Fusion Technology, Vol. 39, 2001. (ISSN: 0748-1896) (To view a selection of those papers see: http://fti.neep.wisc.edu/publist?which=uwfdm&start=50)

13. IFE papers in “Proceedings of the Sixth International Symposium on Fusion Nuclear Technology (ISFNT-6),” Fusion Engineering and Design, Vols. 61-64, 2002 (ISSN: 0920-3796)

14. Latkowski, J. F., et al., “Preliminary Safety Assessment for an IFE Target Fabrication Facility,” Fusion Technology, 39(2,2):960, March 2001. (ISSN: 0748-1896)

15. Meier, W. R., “An Integrated Research Plan for the IFE Element of the Virtual Laboratory for Technology,” Fusion Engineering. and Design, 60(N1):37-43, 2002. (ISSN: 0920-3796)

16. Meier, W. R., et al., “Progress Toward Heavy Ion IFE,” Fusion Engineering and Design, 62-63:577, 2002. (ISSN: 0920-3796)

17. Najmabadi, F., et al., “Assessment of Chamber Concepts for Inertial Fusion Energy Fusion Power Plants—The ARIES-IFE Study,” Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Inertial Fusion Sciences and Applications: IFSA 2001, Kyoto, Japan, September 9-14, 2001, p. 701, Paris: Elsevier, 2002. (ISBN: 2-84299-407-8) (ISSN: 1622-9878)

18. Olson, C. L., et al., “Rep-Rated Z-Pinch Power Plant Concept,” ICC 2000: Innovative Confinement Concepts Workshop, Berkeley, CA, February 22-25, 2000 . (Available at: http://icc2000.lbl.gov/. Select “Proceedings” on Left menu. Scroll down to “Advanced Boundary Concepts” and select title.)

19. Papers in “Proceedings of the 13th International Symposium on Heavy Ion Fusion,” Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A, Vol. 464, 2001. (ISSN: 0168-9002) (Titles and abstracts of symposium documents available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01689002)

20. Papers in “Proceedings of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) Technical Committee Meeting on Physics and Technology of IFE Targets and Chambers,” Fusion Engineering and Design, 60(1), 2002. (ISSN: 0920-3796)

21. Petzoldt, R. W., et al., “Design of an Inertial Fusion Energy Target Tracking and Position Prediction System,” Fusion Technology, 39(2,2):678, March 2001. (ISSN: 0748-1896)

22. Schaffers, K. I., et al., “Growth of Yb:S-FAP [Yb³⁺:Sr₅(PO₄)₃F] crystals for the Mercury laser,” Journal of Crystal Growth, 253(1-4):297-306, June 2003. (ISSN: 0022-0248)