Pulsed, high-current and iron-free ion optical systems for beam transport in ICF driver accelerators

Abstract

To drive ICF implosion targets, pulsed ion beams will be used. Therefore the corresponding beam guiding systems do not have to provide the magnetic flux density in a d.c. mode, but only in a pulsed mode on a short time scale. The operation of steady-state magnetic fields in accelerator-based ICF driver scenarios as outlinede.g. in the HIBALL reactor study would lead to a waste of a significant fraction of the produced electrical energy. We suggest making use of pulsed, high-current and iron-free magnetic lenses for this purpose. In a number of experiments at the UNILAC accelerator at GSI-Darmstadt, pulsed quadrupole lenses have already proven their ability and reliability to focus and transport highly energetic heavy-ion beams.