We have studied the effectiveness of beta heating on driving a deuterium–tritium (DT) ice layer toward uniformity within spherical inertial fusion targets. Beta heating results from the deposition of energy from the beta particles from the tritium decay in these targets. These targets are enclosed in a constant temperature environment. This study first considered a one‐dimensional heat transfer model of an idealized target, geometry, and environment. We concluded that beta energy deposition can drive a nonuniform DT ice layer towards uniformity. The maximum rate at which this redistribution can occur is given by dδ/dt=δ̇=−δ/θTC, where δ=DT ice thickness in excess of that for a uniform layer and θTC=a time constant ≊1500 s. This translates to a factor of 10 reduction in nonuniformity every hour. We also evaluated, and continue to do so, the consequences of deviations from the idealized case assumptions and the selection of certain experimental parameters, on the actual behavior of DT ice in such cryogenic targets. The status of this work is such that we have confidence in the use of beta heating to drive the DT ice toward uniformity for reactor‐size targets (∼1 mm and larger in diameter).
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Research Article|
May 01 1988
Beta energy driven uniform deuterium–tritium ice layer in reactor‐size cryogenic inertial fusion targets
A. J. Martin;
A. J. Martin
KMS Fusion, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106
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R. J. Simms;
R. J. Simms
KMS Fusion, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106
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R. B. Jacobs
R. B. Jacobs
R. B. Jacobs Associates, Boulder, Colorado 80302
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J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 6, 1885–1888 (1988)
Article history
Received:
September 18 1987
Accepted:
December 21 1987
Citation
A. J. Martin, R. J. Simms, R. B. Jacobs; Beta energy driven uniform deuterium–tritium ice layer in reactor‐size cryogenic inertial fusion targets. J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 1 May 1988; 6 (3): 1885–1888. https://doi.org/10.1116/1.575234
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