The light-ion pulsed power induction accelerator for the Laboratory Microfusion Facility (LMF)

In order to initiate ignition and substantial energy yield from an inertial confinement fusion target (ICF), a light-ion pulse of ∼700 TW peak power and 15-20 ns duration is required. The preconceptual design presented here provides this power. The HERMES-III technology of linear inductive voltage addition in a self-magnetically insulated transmission line (MITL) is utilized to generate the 25-36 MV peak voltage needed for lithium ion beams. The 15-20 MA ion current is achieved by utilizing many accelerating modules in parallel. The lithium ion beams are produced in two-stage extraction diodes. To provide the two separate voltage pulses required by the diode, a triaxial adder system is incorporated in each module. The accelerating modules are arranged symmetrically around the fusion chamber in order to provide uniform irradiation onto the ICF target. In addition, the modules are fired in a preprogrammed sequence in order to generate the optimum power pulse shape onto the target. In this paper the authors present an outline of the LMF accelerator conceptual design with emphasis on the architecture of the accelerating modules