T.J. Fessenden

INDUCTION ACCELERATOR ARCHITECTURES FOR HEAVY-ION FUSION

Abstract The approach to heavy-ion-driven inertial fusion studied most extensively in the US uses induction modulators and cores to accelerate and confine the beam longitudinally. The intrinsic peak-current capabilities of induction machines, together with their flexible pulse formats, provide a suitable match to the high peak-power requirement of a heavy-ion fusion target. However, as in the RF case, where combinations of linacs, synchrotrons, and storage rings offer a number of choices to be examined in designing an optimal system, the induction approach also allows a number of architectures, from which choices must be made. We review the main classes of architecture for induction drivers that have been studied to date. The main choice of accelerator structure is that between the linac and the recirculator, the latter being composed of several rings. Hybrid designs are also possible. Other design questions include which focusing system (electric quadrupole, magnetic quadrupole, or solenoid) to use, whether or not to merge beams, and what number of beams to use – all of which must be answered as a function of ion energy throughout the machine. Also, the optimal charge state and mass must be chosen. These different architectures and beam parameters lead to different emittances and imply different constraints on the final focus. The advantages and uncertainties of these various architectures will be discussed.

Beam dynamics studies with the heavy-ion linear induction accelerator MBE-4

Current amplification of heavy-ion beams is an integral feature of the induction linac approach to heavy-ion fusion (HIF). In this paper we report on amplification experiments conducted on a single beam of the Multiple Beam Experiment (MBE-4), a heavy-ion (Cs+) induction linac. Earlier MBE-4 experiments [H. Meuth et al., Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A 278, 153 (1989)] had demonstrated up-to-9× current amplification but had been accompanied by an up-to-2× increase of normalized transverse emittance. Experiments to pinpoint the causes of this emittance growth indicated various factors were responsible, including focusing aberrations and mismatch difficulties between the injector diode and the accelerator transport lattice, a localized quadrupole misalignment problem, and the interaction of transversely large beams with the nonlinear elements of the focusing lattice. Following ameliorative measures, new current amplification experiments, both with and without acceleration, showed that current amplificat...

Numerical simulation of intense-beam experiments at LLNL and LBNL

We present intense-beam simulations with the WARP code that are being carried out in support of the Heavy-Ion Fusion experimental programs at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). The WARP code is an electrostatic particle-in-cell code with an extensive hierarchy of simulation capabilities. Two experiments are analyzed. First, simulations are presented on an 80 keV, 2 mA K‘ bent transport channel at LLNL that employs an alternating-gradient lattice of magnetic quadrupoles for beam focusing and electric dipoles for beam bending. Issues on dispersion-induced changes in beam quality on the transition from straight- to bent-lattice sections are explored. The second experiment analyzed is a 2 MeV, 800 mA, driver-scale injector and matching section at LBNL that is based on a K‘ source and an alternating-gradient lattice of electrostatic quadrupoles biased to accelerate, focus, and match the beam. Issues on beam quality, space-charge waves, and beam hollowing are explored. Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

Progress toward a prototype recirculating induction accelerator for heavy-ion fusion

The US Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) Program is developing induction accelerator technology toward the goal of electric power production using heavy-ion beam-driven inertial fusion (HIF). The recirculating induction accelerator promises driver cost reduction by repeatedly passing the beam through the same set of accelerating and focusing elements. We present plans for and progress toward a small (4.5-m diameter) prototype recirculator, which will accelerate K/sup +/ ions through 15 laps, from 80 to 320 keV and from 2 to 8 mA. Beam confinement is effected via permanent-magnet quadrupoles; bending is via electric dipoles. Scaling laws, and extensive particle and fluid simulations of the space-charge dominated beam behavior, have been used to arrive at the design. An injector and matching section are operational. Initial experiments are investigating intense-beam transport in a linear magnetic channel; near-term plans include studies of transport around a bend. Later experiments will study insertion/extraction and acceleration with centroid control.

Recirculating induction accelerators for inertial fusion: Prospects and status

The US is developing the physics and technology of induction accelerators for heavy-ion beam-driven inertial fusion. The recirculating induction accelerator repeatedly passes beams through the same set of accelerating and focusing elements, thereby reducing both the length and gradient of the accelerator structure. This promises an attractive driver cost, if the technical challenges associated with recirculation can be met. Point designs for recirculator drivers were developed in a multi-year study by LLNL, LBNL, and FM Technologies, and that work is briefly reviewed here. To validate major elements of the recirculator concept, we are developing a small (4-5-m diameter) prototype recirculator which will accelerate a space-charge-dominated beam of K{sup +} ions through 15 laps, from 80 to 320 keV and from 2 to 8 mA. Transverse beam confinement is effected via permanent-magnet quadrupoles; bending is via electric dipoles. This ``Small Recirculator`` is being developed in a build-and-test sequence of experiments. An injector, matching section, and linear magnetic channel using seven half-lattice periods of permanent-magnet quadrupole lenses are operational. A prototype recirculator half-lattice period is being fabricated. This paper outlines the research program, and presents initial experimental results.

Diagnostics of plasma channel for HIF transport

An alternate technique for heavy ion final transport, from the driver to the target, is by the use of the self-standing Z-pinched plasma channel. Experiments conducted at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have produced 40 cm long stable plasma channels with a peak discharge current of 55 kA in a 7 Torr nitrogen gas fill. These channels are produced using a double pulse discharge scheme, namely, a pre-pulse discharge and a main capacitor bank discharge. It is postulated that the channel’s insensitivity to MHDinstabilities within the time scale relevant to beam transport is due to the wall effect the pre-pulse discharge creates. This is accomplished by leaving a gas density depression on the channel’s axis after hydrodynamic expansion. Since the pre-pulse discharge creates the initial conditions for the main bank Z-pinch, it is critical to understand how to control and engineer the pre-pulse. Here we present some of the results of ongoing experiments geared to understand the underlying physics of the LBNL Z-pinch plasma channel. Schlieren and phase contrast measurements show the radial propagation of a shock wave during the pre-pulse discharge and suggest indirectly the evidence of the on axis gas density depression, that is believed to be 5 1 10 of the original gas fill pressure. For the main bank Z-pinch, interferometry show an integrated electron line density of 1.6 � 10 17 cm � 2 for a 15 kV discharge on axis. These measurements coupled with Faraday rotation measurements will indicate ultimately the current density distribution in the channel. This data will be used to benchmark simulation codes. # 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Physics design and scaling of recirculating induction accelerators: from benchtop prototypes to drivers

Recirculating induction accelerators (recirculators) have been investigated as possible drivers for inertial fusion energy production because of their potential cost advantage over linear induction accelerators. Point designs were obtained and many of the critical physics and technology issues that would need to be addressed were detailed. A collaboration involving Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers is now developing a small prototype recirculator in order to demonstrate an understanding of nearly all of the critical beam dynamics issues that have been raised. We review the design equations for recirculators and demonstrate how, by keeping crucial dimensionless quantities constant, a small prototype recirculator was designed which will simulate the essential beam physics of a driver. We further show how important physical quantities such as the sensitivity to errors of optical elements (in both field strength and placement), insertion/extraction, vacuum requirements, and emittance growth, scale from small-prototype to driver-size accelerator.

Development of beam position monitors for heavy ion recirculators

Work is underway at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to design and build a small-scale, heavy ion recirculating induction accelerator. An essential part of this design work is the development of small non-intercepting diagnostics to measure beam current and position. This paper describes some of this work, with particular emphasis on the development of a small capacitive probe beam position monitor to resolve beam position to the 100 /spl mu/m level in a 6 cm diameter beam pipe. Initial measured results with an 80 keV potassium ion beam are presented.

Status of experiments leading to a small recirculator

A heavy ion linear induction accelerator is considered to be the leading driver candidate for an Inertial Fusion Energy reactor. To deliver a space-charge-dominated beam at the appropriate energy (several GeV), such an accelerator would be several kilometers in length. Since total length has a strong influence on accelerator cost, we are considering the potential advantages and practical implementation of a recirculating induction accelerator. To address the critical scientific and technical challenges of a recirculating space-charge-dominated heavy ion beam, we have begun to develop the elements of a scaled ``small recirculator``. An operating recirculator must demonstrate full beam control including multi-lap operation, beam insertion/extraction, acceleration and pulse compression. At present, experiments have been conducted using a 2mA, 80keV K{sup +} beam transported through a 45{degree} bend; experiments on a 90{degree} bend with five induction modulators will begin soon. This paper briefly summarizes the recirculator specifications and operational features and reports the latest experimental data as well as the developmental status of beam diagnostics.

Accelerator waveform synthesis and longitudinal beam dynamics in a small induction recirculator

A recirculating induction accelerator requires accelerating waveforms that produce current amplification and provide bunch length control throughout the acceleration process. Current amplification occurs because of both an increase in the beam velocity and a shortening of the length of the beam bunch. The pulsed acceleration and control waveforms seen by the beam change as the pulse duration shortens. For one acceleration cycle of the small recirculator, each accelerating gap is driven by a burst of 15 pulses. As the beam gains velocity, the time interval between pulses shortens from approximately 20 to 10 /spl mu/sec. A zero-dimensional design code REC is used to develop the accelerator waveforms. An envelope/fluid code CIRCE and a 3-D particle code WARP3d are used to confirm the REC design and study the effects of errors. We find that acceleration errors can lead to space-charge waves launched at the bunch ends that strongly affect or even destroy the current pulse shape. The relation between the rate of longitudinal compression and the velocity of space charge waves is studied.