1. Future Developments and Applications of KrF Laser-Fusion Systems
- Author
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Lester M. Waganer, John M. Eggleston, David S. Zuckerman, Norman A. Kurnit, David A. Bowers, Mark J. Kushner, J. J. Ewing, D. B. Harris, Dennis D. Lowenthal, and Russell G. Berger
- Subjects
Materials science ,business.industry ,020209 energy ,Nuclear engineering ,Amplifier ,General Engineering ,02 engineering and technology ,Laser ,01 natural sciences ,Pulse shaping ,010305 fluids & plasmas ,law.invention ,Electricity generation ,Optics ,law ,Pulse compression ,0103 physical sciences ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,Electric power ,Cost of electricity by source ,business ,Inertial confinement fusion - Abstract
Two different types of KrF lasers currently being analyzed as potential laser-fusion drivers: large electron-beam (e-beam)- pumped amplifiers using pure optical multiplexing for pulse compression and small e-beam sustained discharge lasers using a hybrid pulse compression technique. Both types of KrF lasers appear able to satisfy all of the requirements for commercial-applications ICF drivers, including cost, efficiency, pulse shaping, energy scaling, repetition rate, reliability, and target coupling. The KrF driver can effectively operate at efficiencies > 10% and can contribute < 10 mill/kWh to the cost of electric power production, with the total estimated cost of electricity from either KrF laser system being comparable (25 to 50 mill/kWh, 1985 dollars) with the cost from other methods of electric power production. The Aurora facility is described.
- Published
- 1987
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