100
The
Closed-Loop, Amplifier-Regulated Driver, a High-Accuracy,
Low-Cost Modulator for Heavy Ion Fusion Accelerators--First
Point Scientific, Inc., 5330 Derry Avenue, Suite J, Agoura Hills, CA 91301-4500; 818-707-1311
Dr.
Craig P. Burkhart, Principal Investigator, burkhart@firstpsi.com
Dr.
John Bayliss, Business Official, jb@firstpsi.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG03-00ER83010
Amount:
$750,000
An
inexpensive, highly regulated modulator will be required for the successful
development of a heavy ion inertial fusion system. This project will demonstrate a closed-loop,
amplifier-regulated driver as an induction accelerator modulator at parameters
of interest to the heavy ion fusion program.
Phase I demonstrated the efficacy of the closed-loop amplifier regulated
driver, determined the limitations of this topology, and identified the optimal
implementation of this technology in the heavy ion fusion program.
This was accomplished by designing and assembling a bench top feasibility
experiment, demonstrating waveform regulation with the bench top system, and
developing the conceptual design for a prototype device.
Phase II will focus on constructing
and demonstrating the new technology on a major heavy ion fusion experiment at
the Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory. A closed-loop amplifier
regulated driver will be developed that will correct the voltage waveform of the
ion injector, which is part of the High Current Experiment, to meet stringent
regulation requirements. This
system will also provide well-regulated voltages of up to 200 kV at the head and
tail of the ion beam bunch to correct for the axial defocusing caused by the
intense space charge fields of the ions.
Commercial
Applications And Other Benefits as described by the awardee:
A novel
pulsed power modulator should substantially improve the current state-of-the-art
in high voltage electrical pulse generation.
Notable applications include induction accelerators, microwave
generators, lasers, plasma discharge devices, and neutron generators.