Conceptual design studies of GDT-based neutron source

Abstract

An analysis shows that the existing nuclear technology data bases are not sufficient to arrive at a DEMO with reasonable confidence in achieving target availability levels. In order to provide these data, a testing facility capable of simulating neutron environment in a fusion reactor is needed. A number of proposals for plasma-type neutron sources have been made recently to meet the testing requirements. In comparison with the other proposed schemes, which exclusively capitalize the advanced tokamak concepts, the neutron source based on gasdynamic trap (GDT) concept has rather attractive design features stemming from its axial symmetry. Recently, significant progress in the pre-conceptual design of the source has been made. Firstly, application of up-to-date technology reduced the power consumption of the magnets also providing its longer lifetimes; secondly, the plasma parameters were revised using a self-consistent numerical model which, in particular, in contrast to that initially used, accounting for the collisions between the fast ions. Further development of the model was supported by experiments on the GDT facility at Budker Institute.