Parametric studies of an induction linac heavy ion beam driver for ICF

The size and cost of an induction linac heavy ion beam driver for inertial confinement fusion will depend primarily on ion kinetic energy, current, mass, and charge. Energy, current, and mass are constrained by implosion physics, and all four quantities are constrained by beam propagation physics. The authors contrast two alternatives to beam propagation modeling: arbitrary specification of partial beam space charge cancellation and calculation of the beam envelope in the presence of an autoneutralizing cloud of hot electrons. They explore model-dependent sensitivities to beam kinetic energy, pulse energy, charge state, ion species, final focus geometry, and stripping in the reactor chamber. Preferred parameter regimes for a 3000-MW/sub t/ fusion power plant are indicated.<>