The U.S. heavy-ion fusion program

Since the last Symposium, the US has restructured its fusion program to emphasize science, enabling technologies, and innovation. A principal goal of the restructured program is to develop new, more attractive fusion options. As part of the restructuring, we have canceled ILSE, an accelerator project described at previous Symposia. Instead of ILSE, we have initiated a program of small experiments, technology development, and end-to-end numerical simulation of accelerators and targets. In addition, we have expanded our effort in chamber dynamics and power-plant technologies. This new program has two goals: (1) the development of a more compelling (less expensive) long-term vision for heavy-ion fusion and (2) the development of the scientific and technological foundation for the construction of an accelerator research facility with far greater capability than ILSE. This accelerator facility (sometimes called the Integrated Research Experiment) together with the National Ignition Facility and the expanded program in chambers and power plant technologies will, if successful, provide a sound basis for a decision to begin construction of a full-scale heavy-ion driver that could be upgraded to drive a demonstration power plant. The National Ignition Facility is expected to demonstrate ignition by 2006. With adequate funding, it would also be possible to complete the Integrated Research Experiment by this time.