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Synergism in inertial confinement fusion: a total direct energy conversion package

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2009

M. A. Prelas  and
E. J. Charlson
M. A. Prelas
Affiliation:
College of Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
E. J. Charlson
Affiliation:
College of Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
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Abstract

The products of fusion reactions have unique properties which can be used for direct energy conversion. These products are neutrons and ions. Neutrons can be transported very long distances through solid materials and can interact with certain elements which have a very high absorption cross section. Ions on the other hand have a very short transport length even in a gaseous medium. It is possible to utilize these products in an inertial confinement fusion reactor with two different direct energy conversion devices: a nuclear-pumped laser using neutrons from the fusion reaction; a photon generator material combined with a photovoltaic converter using the ionic fusion products.

It will be argued that a nuclear-pumped laser can be more efficient than a conventional laser. It will also be shown that an advanced energy conversion concept based on photon production and photovoltaics can produce ICF system efficiencies of 56%.

Type
Research Article
Information
Laser and Particle Beams , Volume 7 , Issue 3 , August 1989 , pp. 449 - 466
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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