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M. E. Cuneo, R. G. Adams, J. E. Bailey,
M. P. Desjarlais, A. B. Filuk, D. L. Hanson,
D. J. Johnson, T. A. Mehlhorn, P. R. Menge,
C. L. Olson, T. D. Pointon, S. A. Slutz, R. A. Vesey,
D. F. Wenger, D. R. Welch
Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87185-1186, USA
Abstract. Light ion beams may be the best option for an Inertial Fusion Energy
(IFE) driver from the standpoint of efficiency, standoff, rep-rate operation
and cost. This approach uses high-energy-density pulsed power to efficiently
accelerate ions in one or two stages at fields of 0.5 to 1.0 GV/m to produce a
medium energy (30 MeV), high-current (1 MA) beam of light ions, such as
lithium. Ion beams provide the ability for medium distance transport (4 m) of
the ions to the target, and standoff of the driver from high-yield
implosions. Rep-rate operation of high current ion sources has also been
demonstrated for industrial applications and could be applied to IFE. Although
these factors make light ions the best long-term pulsed-power approach to IFE,
light-ion research at Sandia is being suspended this year in favor of a
Z-pinch-driven approach which has an excellent opportunity to rapidly achieve
the U.S. Department of Energy sponsor's goal of high-yield fusion. This paper
will summarize the status and most recent results of the light-ion beam
program at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), and document the prospects for
light-ion IFE driver development.
IAEA 2001
