Pathways to Energy from Inertial Fusion - An Integrated Approach

Closed for Proposals

Project Type

Coordinated Research Project

Project Code

F13011

CRP

1372

Approved Date

2006/03/07

Project Status

Closed

Start Date

2006/06/15

Expected End Date

2010/07/12

Completed Date

2010/07/12

Description

The CRP will cover research relevant to further development of IFE and enhance awareness in Member States for Beam-Plasma-Matter interaction, developing building blocks for IFE and on IFE Power plants and integration. The purpose of such research is essentially three-fold: firstly, to improve our understanding of the underlying physical processes; secondly, to demonstrate capability and progress; and finally, of key importance to the pursuit of an integrated IFE power plant design, is the need to translate the results of the research into specifications for the facility itself.

The scope of work envisaged is: Beam-plasma/beam-matter interactions related to target physics and fast ignition, research to address key unresolved issues and/or advance the feasibility and attractiveness of individual drivers, targets and chambers that are part of integrated pathways, and research on key interface issues faced when developing integrated power plant systems (e.g., beam propagation through the chamber environment, target survival during injection, beam/target coupling, chamber response to target emission, etc.)

The scope of the CRP will cover research relevant to further development of IFE. In particular this CRP will focus primarily on research that is aligned with the integrated pathways to IFE that are currently being pursued:
- laser drivers with direct-drive targets and dry-wall chambers,
- heavy-ion drivers with indirect-drive targets and thick-liquid-wall (TLW) chambers,
- Z-pinch driven indirect-drive targets with TLW chambers,
- fast ignition with lasers and wetted-wall chambers.

The CRP will also encourage and contribute to some innovative, high-risk, high-pay-off research.

Objectives

The CRP was to cover research relevant to further development of IFE and enhance awareness in Member States for Beam-Plasma-Matter interaction, developing building blocks for IFE and on IFE Power plants and integration. The purpose of such research is essentially three-fold: firstly, to improve our understanding of the underlying physical processes; secondly, to demonstrate capability and progress; and finally, of key importance to the pursuit of an integrated IFE power plant design, is the need to translate the results of the research into specifications for the facility itself.

Specific Objectives

To enhance collaboration and implement a networking approach for exchange of R&D in the area of beam-plasma/beam-matter interactions related to target physics and fast ignition

To enhance collaboration and implement a networking approach for exchange of R&D in the area of research on key interface issues faced when developing integrated power plant systems (e.g., beam propagation through the chamber environment, target survival during injection, beam/target coupling, chamber response to target emission, etc.)

To enhance collaboration and implement a networking approach for exchange of R&D in the area of research to address unresolved key issues and/or advance the feasibility and attractiveness of individual drivers, targets and chambers that are part of integrated pathways

Impact

This CRP has promoted the establishment of a networking culture among the CRP participants. The possibility of collaboration offered by the network has enabled many exchanges of ideas, thereby fostering a comprehensive and coordinated approach in solving scientific and technical issues. In addition, thanks to their involvement in the network and their association with the Agency, participants have experienced a greater recognition of their work within their own institutions, higher visibility elsewhere globally. Results obtained within the frame work of this CRP represent a significant contribution towards addressing the on-going scientific and technological issues and the problems encountered by the inertial fusion energy community. This CRP has been an encouragement to the participants from developing countries to pursue their interest on inertial fusion energy research.

Relevance

Activities carried out are relevant to the agency’s project on nuclear fusion energy research. This CRP has been, in particular, a strong support in establishing and stream-lining a strong network among the participants. Further, this CRP has been instrumental in supporting the involvement in worldwide inertial fusion endeavours of developing countries where main stream fusion facilities, expertise and resources are limited.

CRP Publications

IAEA

TECDOC

2013

TEDOC-1704, Report of a coordinated research project

http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/TE_1704_web.pdf