Macron Formed Liner Compression as a Practical Method for Enabling Magneto-Inertial Fusion

Plasma-liner-driven magneto-inertial fusion (MIF) is an emerging concept for practical inertial fusion facilities that may one day provide an abundant source of carbon-free energy. For this concept to be successful, it will be necessary to achieve high momentum and high Mach number plasma jets, in order to compress a target material to the conditions necessary to support fusion. This project will continue the development of a plasma accelerator that is currently capable of accelerating an argon plasma of density 1014 cm-3 to 200 km/s, using a novel, high-velocity mode of operation in coaxial plasma accelerators. By the end of Phase II, a fully optimized and characterized accelerator will be capable of producing a high-Mach number plasma beam operating on xenon (MW=131) with velocity greater than 100 km/s and density greater than 1017 cm-3 with a 1 cm diameter. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardeeThe technology should enable the provision of turn-key accelerators with the aforementioned properties to government and university laboratoriess engaged in the high-energy density plasma research necessary to achieve practical fusion energy