Laser Induced Fusion - Applied Optics - Confinement of Plasma - Engineering Assignment Help

Assignment Task:

INTRODUCTION -

The goal of the fusion research is to derive energy from the fusion of light atomic nuclei. Nuclear Fusion is a reaction where two or more loosely bound ligh nuclei combine to form a heavier tightly bound nucleus. As we know that the fusion is the energy source of the sun and stars.Reactors based on laser induced fusion is one of the method designed by the scientists to achieve fusion in a controlled manner.Before discussing about the fusion process,let us first briefly understand the components of the nucleus and nuclear forces.A Nucleus of an atom consists of proton and neutron generally called ‘nucleon’.As proton being positively charged and neutron being neutral,no coloumbic force exist between them.Since nucleons are held together in the nulceus ,there is a short range attractive force called nuclear force .The minimum energy required to break the nucleus into its constituent nucleons is called binding energy. 

Consider the nuclear reaction :- 

Deuterium + Deuterium Tritium + Hydrogen 

where B.E(deuterium)=2.2 eV ; B.E(tritium) =8.08 eV Thus the gain in binding energy = 8.08-(2×2.02)= 4.04 eV. This means a loosely bound system goes over to a tightly bound system resulting in the liberation of energy; this energy appears in the form of kinetic energies of tritium and proton, 

Consider another nuclear reaction :- 

Deuterium + Tritium alpha particles (3.5 MeV) + neutron(14.3 MeV) 

where the total energy liberated is 17.6 MeV D-T reaction is 100 times more probable than D-D reaction. 

Why do we need laser for fusion process? 

For fusion reaction to occur,nucleui should have high kinetic energy to overcome Coulombic repulsion between the protons.Thus the temperature required for this is of the order of 107 Kelvin and at such temperature matter is in ionised state called plasma state. 

Two major problems in thermonuclear fusion are :- a) heating of plasma to such a high temperature. b) confinement of plasma for fusion reactions to occur. 

Confinement time in nuclear fusion devices is defined as the time within which the plasma is maintained at a temperature above the critical temperature required for ignition.It is given by a criterion known as “Lawson criterion” i.e nτ ≥ 1014 cm-3 s ,where n is the plasma density and τ is the confinement time. 

For the confinement of plasma ,magnetic field is used .The magnetic confinement approach is based on the interaction of charged particles with magnetic fields.We know that the charged particles are deflected by a magnetic field and, if the field is strong enough, particles will move around the magnetic field lines, gradually progressing along it if they have some longitudinal velocity components.Tokamak was designed by the Russian scientist Basov, and since then it has become the leading magnetic confinement concept. Tokamak stands for “Toroidal magnetic chamber”. Problems with magnetic confinement:- a) Requirement of High magnetic fields (5-10 T) b) However Tokamak has come close to satisfy Lawson Criterion but still confinement of the plasma is a big issue. 

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