Neutronic studies for the optimization of shield wall penetrations for laser IFE systems

Abstract

Building upon the inertial confinement fusion (ICF) technology developed for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), a laser-driven inertial fusion energy (LIFE) power plant is being designed. In this pre-conceptual design, the final optic is exposed to a variety of threats originating from the fusion target. These include prompt neutron and gamma fluxes, x-ray and ionic emissions. While x-rays and ions are stopped by the low-density chamber fill gas (6μg/cc xenon), neutrons and gamma-rays are not significantly attenuated. In order to limit the consequences of such threats onto the penultimate optic and the rest of the laser systems, a shielding wall stands between the target chamber area and the laser bay. An optical telescope arrangement allows for the laser beam propagation from the penultimate to the final optic, through a pinhole in the shielding wall. These pinholes attenuate the neutron flux and reduce effective dose rates such that laser bay maintenance can be performed by humans. An optimum design of this laser pinhole requires a good understanding of the different design trade-offs that exist between shielding performance and survivability of the laser optical elements and are outlined in this work.This paper provides insight on the impact and influence of the pinholes on the radiation doses in the laser bay, which is located on the opposite side of the concrete shielding wall. After addressing the difficulties of evaluating shields containing penetrations, it establishes a guideline for the selection of different variables linked to the pinhole's design and gives a preliminary evaluation of the radiation fields in the laser bay. The study also helps identify the requirements to enable manual and/or remote maintenance during operation, by determining the minimum achievable effective dose rates for different shield wall designs. Since the ability to perform maintenance during plant operation is an important contributor to high laser availability, we will propose the use of non-aligned double shield walls with pinholes.