Engineering and enabling technology development for heavy ion fusion drivers

The Heavy Ion Fusion Virtual National Laboratory is a collaboration among LBNL, LLNL, and PPPL. The engineering and technology development activities are closely aligned with the major experimental areas, which include injectors, beam transport, and final focus. High current density ion sources to produce a more compact multiple beam injector are a major focus of the current activities. There are several collaborations with insulator manufacturers to achieve higher gradients while lowering the manufacturing cost and maintaining high vacuum compatibility. Solid-state pulser technology is being pursued through an SBIR contract to provide reliable pulsers with agile waveform control, a required capability to compress the beam and correct for space charge effects. Ferromagnetic material development is continuing to look at low-loss, high flux swing material that is affordable. The testing of prototype pulsed and superconducting magnets over the last year has provided the basis for developing both of these magnet systems for the present single beam experiments. A heavy ion fusion driver will require continued technology development in these areas to meet the required performance goals and remain economically feasible.