Overview

In an inertial confinement fusion (ICF) target chamber, we must understand how the different forms of radiation and debris effect the experimental apparati and chamber structure. The exploding target is a source of neutrons, x rays, and hot target debris. The propagation of neutrons and debris, and their effects on the chamber and driver interface, provide the subject of much investigation.

Please contact Professor Per Peterson for more information.

ICF Target-Chamber Dynamics

A variety of interesting and complex phenomena occur in ICF target chambers. In our introduction to inertial fusion energy, "A Tutorial on Inertial Fusion Energy", the fourth chapter provides an illustrated, non-technical introduction to target-chamber dynamics.

Research Summary

The UCB Thermal Hydraulics Laboratory supports extensive ongoing investigations of target chamber dynamics for inertial confinement fusion (ICF). Here UCB and the fusion research community looks forward to and supports the design and construction of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a 1.8 MJ laser system that will achieve ignition of fusion targets, giving fusion yields in the 20 MJ range, which approaches the roughly 350 MJ required for a commercial inertial fusion energy (IFE) power plant. The response of target chambers (i.e. [A26]) to the very rapid energy release, including ablation, gas dynamics, and condensation, raises very interesting fundamental questions [A29] which have provided the focus of much of the group's research over the past nine years.

Currently the thermal hydraulics laboratory is heavily involved in experiments to study liquid jet formation in vacuum environments, and in developing analytical and numerical tools to predict the response of structures close to exploding ICF targets, which involves modeling x-ray and laser ablation of cryogenic, room-temperature, and molten materials; phase change; compressible gas-dynamics inside complex enclosures; real gas and chemical kinetics effects including homogeneous nucleation; radiation transport; venting; structural loading and dynamic response; and vapor and target debris condensation.

U.C. Berkeley leads research in several areas important to target chamber technology. Ultimately, we hope to see IFE power plants, like the HYLIFE-II design , producing economical electricity.

UCBNE Target-Chamber Research Sponsors