In addition to the two mainline approaches to fusion energy, magnetic fusion (ITER) and inertial fusion energy, other options are being explored by the scientific community. One of these is magnetic/inertial fusion, in which a magnetic field is induced inside an inertial fusion capsule to suppress electron thermal conduction and, thereby, either improve its performance or relax its ignition drive requirements. However, conventional methods for inducing a magnetic field in the capsule require the attachment of electric conductors to the capsule. In this project, a computer simulation will be used to investigate technologies for inducing these magnetic fields without the attachment of electric conductors. In the envisioned scenario, the capsule is first struck by a special laser beam that induces the magnetic field. Burn is then initiated by compressing it with a second laser. The computer simulation will be used to define the properties of the special laser beam, to optimize the design of the capsule in which the magnetic field is induced, and to evaluate the utility of this approach.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The introduction of magnetic fields into an inertial fusion energy capsule would improve its performance and, thereby, advance this approach for obtaining fusion energy. The successful development of fusion energy would reduce dependence on foreign oil and reduces the emission of carbon dioxide, the main contributor to global warming. The technology may also be useful in laboratory measurements of the effects of large magnetic fields on selected materials
