Target Explosion Generated Fireballs in the Nitrogen Filled Target Chamber of the Light lon Fusion Target Development Facility

Abstract

Molecular nitrogen is a possible choice for the target chamber gas in the light ion beam driven target development facility. The response of a nitrogen target chamber gas to fusion target explosions is considered. Targets with yields of 200 MJ, 400 MJ and 800 MJ are considered for a target chamber 3 m in radius and 6 m high which is filled with nitrogen gas at a density of 7.07 X 10/sup 17/ molecules/cm/sup 3/. The soft x-rays and ions from the explosion of these targets are stopped in short distances in this gas and create a hot spherical fireball in the center of the target chamber. Heat fluxes and shock pressures on the target chamber first walls due to these fireballs are presented and nitrogen is shown to be an acceptable cavity gas from the point of view of first wall loading.