Speakers
Dr
Alexei Beklemishev
(Budker Institute for Nuclear Physics, Novosibirsk, Russia)
Prof.
W. Horton
(University of Texas at Austin, USA)
Description
The successful high mirror ratio Rm=Bmax/Bmin=35 Gas Dynamic Trap [1] mirror machine may provide an economical path for a high neutron fluence fusion device. Neutron flux of order 2$~$MW/m$^2$ 1yr is required to determine the life-time of various wall designs for future toroidal fusion power reactors. These neutron fluences are well beyond the reach of the current ITER, Large Helical Device and the Wendelstein 7X toroidal fusion plasma machines under development. In addition, there is simplicity of the design and operation of the linear mirror confinement vessels and with their large, symmetric end exhaust chambers that add an economical and practical external control mechanism for nuclear plasma. We investigate the parameters for the angles, positions and power requirements for both the neutral beam injectors [NBIs] and the parameters of the X-mode electron cyclotron heating [ECH] antennas to optimize the stability and fusion power production within the GDT architecture. The anisotropy of the RF driven fast electron distribution function is important both for the stability of the plasma to drift-loss cone instability and the reduction of the collisional electron scattering into the loss cone. We parameterize and optimize both the NBI and the ECH system specifications for optimal neutron flux production. Neutron fluxes of order 10$^{12}~$n/s to 10$^{14}~$n/s are estimated from one second driven deuterium plasmas.
The mirror neutron source would enable an aggressive fusion materials program as well as a component development program that would test modules of Li-blankets, tritium processing systems, and plasma heating technologies. Preliminary estimates of the duty cycle of the system show that the neutron flux is sufficient to produce an attractive alternative source of the expensive radiopharmaceutical of Technetium - 99 for daily use in hospitals throughout the United States. The Center for Electromechanics [CEM] at the Pickle Research Park at the University of Texas has the experience and electric power to build a new GDT facility. In September 2015 a FES-DoE solicited White Paper from the mirror community describing the Symmetric Mirror Project was received by OFES [3].
[1] P. A. Bagryansky, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 205001 (2015)
[2] Horton, W, et al., J. Fusion Engineering, 29 (2010)
[3] https://www.burningplasma.org/activities/?article=2014%20FESAC%20Strategic%20Planning%20Panel
Primary author
Prof.
W. Horton
(University of Texas at Austin, USA)
Co-authors
Dr
A. Arefiev
(Institute for Fusion Studies, Austin, USA)
A. Ouroua
(Center for Electromechanics, UT Austin, USA)
Dr
Alexei Beklemishev
(Budker Institute for Nuclear Physics, Novosibirsk, Russia)
Prof.
Herb Berk
(Institute for Fusion Studies, Austin, USA)
I. Alvarado
(National Instruments, Austin TX, USA)
L. Wenzel
(National Instruments, Austin TX, USA)
R. Hebner
(Center for Electromechanics, UT Austin, USA)
Dr
W.L. Rowan
(Institute for Fusion Studies, Austin, USA)
