| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R16778/01 |
| Title: |
Experimental Studies of the Advanced Fast Ignitor Scheme |
| Principal Investigator: |
Norreys, Professor PA |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Central Laser Facility (CLF) |
| Organisation: |
STFC Laboratories (Grouped) |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
02 July 2001 |
Ends: |
01 July 2004 |
Value (£): |
362,153
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Lasers & Optics |
Plasmas - Laser & Fusion |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
Energy |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The fast ignitor scheme for inertial confinement fusion energy has been proposed as a means of reducing the required laser energy for high gain. The scheme provides a new set of technical and physics issues, particularly relating to the stability of the channel needed to guide the picosecond, multi-PWatt laser pulse close to the compressed fuel. The attraction of the advanced fast ignition scheme described in this proposal is that it eliminates the need for the channel pulse altogether, it reduces the required drive energy by a factor of about 10 and it simultaneously makes the rear surface of the compressed region much more accessible to the short heating laser pulse. In this way, the plasma conditions can be carefully controlled to ensure accurate pointing of the fast electrons that are generated. We propose here a detailed investigation to optimise the short pulse laser to thermal energy conversion for this advanced fast ignition scheme using the VULCAN laser (that is uniquely placed to address these issues). The role of both electrons and ion beams in heating the compressed plasma will be investigated using advanced diagnostic capabilities based on highly sensitive neutron spectroscopy.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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