The promise of heavy ion fusion

Abstract

In his paper in this issue, Dr. David Crandall of the Office of Fusion Energy presented DOE budget figures for magnetic fusion energy (MFE) and inertial fusion energy (IFE). Funding for IFE decreased from about $9M in FY91 and FY92 to $7.7M in FY93. The Bush budget for FY94 allocated $6.5M for IFE. Clearly the trend is down. In contrast, the FY93 budget for MFE is $330.7M and the Bush budget allocated $416.6M for FY94. These trends force one to ask if there should be an IFE program. In the authors opinion the answer to this question is emphatically affirmative. The remainder of this paper explaines the reasons for this opinion. The paper will emphasize heavy ion inertial fusion (HIF), but many of the reasons apply to any inertial fusion system. There are numerous studies, detailed calculations, and experiments that support the conclusion that HIF is promising: however, enough `promising` fusion schemes have come and gone that many fusion researchers (and politicians) have developed some skepticism about the results and projections of studies, calculations, and even some experiments. To be believable, results and projections must be consistent with scientific, technological, and industrial experience. Therefore this paper will not emphasize detailedmore » studies, but rather plausibility arguments based on experience with large high-energy accelerators and common industrial practice.« less