PLX-BETHE: Target Formation and Integrated Experiments for Plasma-Jet Driven Magneto-Inertial Fusion (PJMIF)

POSTER

Abstract

The Plasma Liner Experiment (PLX) BETHE collaboration is studying the physics and feasibility of supersonic spherically imploding plasma liners as a novel fusion compression driver. An overview of spherical liner experiments formed from the merging of 36 discrete plasma jets is presented. An interplay between kinetic interpenetration, spherical convergence, and collisional interaction of the jets is observed, resulting in smooth plasma liners up to moderate convergence ratios. Machine configuration, pulsed power operating performance, and experimental diagnostics are described. Progress in integrating the compressing plasma liner with a magnetized hydrogen plasma target is presented, toward a fully integrated subscale PJMIF experiment.

*This material was based upon the work supported, in part, by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), under Award No. DEAR0001268. This manuscript has been authored in collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory/Triad National Security, LLC, Contract No. 89233218CNA000001, with the U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.

Publication: Publication in preparation for Physics of Plasmas

Presenters

  • Samual J Langendorf

    • Los Alamos National Laboratory

Authors

  • Samual J Langendorf

    • Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • Feng Chu

    • Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • John P Dunn

    • Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • Adam E Brown

    • Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • Glen A Wurden

    • Los Alamos Natlonal Laboratory
    • Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM, USA

  • Andrew L LaJoie

    • University of New Mexico
    • Los Alamos national Laboratory

  • Mark Gilmore

    • University of New Mexico
    • The University of New Mexico

  • Franklin D Witherspoon

    • HyperJet Fusion Corporation

  • Andrew Case

    • HyperJet Fusion Corporation

  • Jason Cassibry

    • University of Alabama in Huntsville
    • University of Alabama in Huntsviile

  • Aalap C Vyas

    • University of Alabama in Huntsville