Related papers: Retrospective of the ARPA-E ALPHA fusion program
This paper describes a method to do ab initio molecular dynamics in electronically excited systems within the random phase approximation (RPA). Using a dynamical variational treatment of the RPA frequency, which corresponds to the…
The Lawson criterion is a key concept in the pursuit of fusion energy, relating the fuel density $n$, pulse duration $\tau$ or energy confinement time $\tau_E$, and fuel temperature $T$ to the energy gain $Q$ of a fusion plasma. The purpose…
Using a range of fusion power plant (FPP) concepts, we demonstrate that spin-polarized fuel (SPF) can significantly enhance net electric power output, often by many multiples. Notably, the electric power gain from SPF generally exceeds the…
By means of fully kinetic simulations, we investigate electron acceleration during magnetic reconnection in a nonrelativistic proton--electron plasma with conditions similar to solar corona and flares. We demonstrate that reconnection leads…
Processes involving alpha particles and alpha-like nuclei comprise a major part of stellar nucleosynthesis and hypothesized mechanisms for thermonuclear supernovae. In an effort towards understanding alpha processes from first principles,…
Recently-proposed tokamak concepts use magnetic fields up to 12 T, far higher than in conventional devices, to reduce size and cost. Theoretical and computational study of trends in plasma behavior with increasing field strength is critical…
We report experimental results validating the concept that plasma confinement is enhanced in a magnetic cusp configuration when beta (plasma pressure/magnetic field pressure) is order of unity. This enhancement is required for a fusion…
Magnetic confinement fusion researches are an approach to demonstrate the feasibility of nuclear fusion power for energy production. In these experiments, mega-watt range power Radio-Frequency waves, from tens of MHz to hundreds of GHz, are…
The random phase approximation (RPA) for the electron correlation energy, combined with the exact-exchange energy, represents the state-of-the-art exchange-correlation functional within density-functional theory (DFT). However, the standard…
ARES (Accelerator Research Experiment at SINBAD) is a linear accelerator at the SINBAD (Short INnovative Bunches and Accelerators at DESY) facility at DESY. ARES was designed to combine reproducible beams from conventional RF-based…
Recent advances in high-temperature-superconductor technology have made substantially higher toroidal magnetic fields technologically accessible, reopening the design space for compact, high-field tokamak reactors. Because reactor…
Proton-Boron 11 (pB11) fusion is safe and clean, but also difficult to harness for breakeven power production. Particularly deleterious are fusion-born alpha particles, which massively increase both plasma pressure and bremsstrahlung losses…
In magnetically confined fusion device, the complex, multiscale, and nonlinear dynamics of plasmas necessitate the integration of extensive diagnostic systems to effectively monitor and control plasma behaviour. The complexity and…
The world Heavy Ion Fusion (HIF) Program for inertial fusion energy is looking toward the development and commissioning of several new experiments. Recent and planned upgrades of the facilities at GSI, in Russia, and in Japan greatly…
[Background] Despite the importance of light-ion fusion in nucleosynthesis, a limited amount of data exists regarding the de-excitation following fusion for such systems. [Purpose] To explore the characteristics of alpha emission associated…
The findings of the EU 'Materials Assessment Group' (MAG), within the 2012 EU Fusion Roadmap exercise, are discussed. MAG analysed the technological readiness of structural, plasma facing and high heat flux materials for a DEMO concept to…
We investigate the effects of plasma interactions on resonance-enhanced fusion rates in stars. Starting from basic principles we derive an expression for the fusion rate that can serve as a basis for discussion of approximation schemes. The…
Within the framework of a two-fluid description possible pathways for the generation of fast flows (dynamical as well as steady) in the lower solar atmosphere is established. It is shown that a primary plasma flow (locally sub-Alfv\'enic)…
Developing complex, reliable advanced accelerators requires a coordinated, extensible, and comprehensive approach in modeling, from source to the end of beam lifetime. We present highlights in Exascale Computing to scale accelerator…
The present document outlines a roadmap for future developments that will significantly expand ALMA's capabilities and enable it to produce even more exciting science in the coming decades. The proposed developments are motivated by the…