A 1-MA LTD Cavities Building Blocks for Next Generation ICF/IFE

Abstract

We are actively pursuing the development of new accelerators based on the novice technology of Linear Transformer Driver (LTD). LTD based drivers are considered for many applications including future very high current Z-pinch drivers like ZX and Z-pinch IFE (Inertial Fusion Energy). The salient feature of the approach is switching and inductively adding the pulses at low voltage straight out of the capacitors through low inductance transfer and soft iron core isolation. Utilizing the presently available capacitors and switches we can envision building the next generation of fast z-pinch drivers without the usage of large deionized-water and oil tanks as it is the case with the present technology drivers. The most significant advantage of all is that the LTD drivers can be rep-rated. The later makes LTD the driver of choice for z-pinch IFE where the required repetition rate is of the order of 0.1 Hz. Presently we have in rep rated operation in Sandia a one 500-kA, 100-kV LTD cavity. The compact fast (≪100 ns) LTD was suggested and its development is funded by Sandia at the High Current Electronic Institute (HCEI) in Tomsk, Russia, where a number of larger and stackable 1-MA cavities are under construction.