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Application of Microgravity and Containerless Environments to the Investigation of Fusion Target Fabrication Technology*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

Mark C. Lee
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
James M. Kendall
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
Daniel D. Elleman
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
Won-Kyu Rhim
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
Roger S. Helizon
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
Charles L. Youngberg
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
I-An Feng
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
Taylor G. Wang
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
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Abstract

During the past few years we have been studying several of the physical processes relevant to the production of spherical shells for inertial confinement fusion targets, both in a microgravity environment and in a containerless environment. The work has led to the development of several experimental facilities. Those which are most unique are described here, and fall into three categories as follows: 1. Ones which provide an induced low- or microgravity containerless environment, such as a vertical drag-free wind tunnel, two differing low-pressure and/or high-temperature drop towers for processing metallic or metallic-glass specimens, and a neutral buoyancy tank, 2. Ones providing containerless processing capability, such as a focusing radiator and an electrostatic levitator and 3. Ones providing extended microgravity and containerless capabilities, such as the KC-135 aircraft and the Space Processing Application Rockets. The physical processes which we have been studying include, but are not limited to, those which establish the shell sphericity, concentricity, surface topology, material properties, coatings, heating and cooling requirements and the effects of gravity on fusion pellet fabrication processes.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1982

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References

REFERENCES

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