Title :
LTD driven fast Z-pinch for propulsion
Author :
Giddens, Patrick ; Seidler, William ; Cassibry, J.T.
Author_Institution :
Univ. of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
Abstract :
Summary form only given. This paper will discuss a set ODE´s that are based on Kirchoff´s voltage and current laws coupled with a dynamic model of wire array implosion to demonstrate the potential of a Linear Transformer drivers (LTD) as the primary pulse power generator for a Z-pinch magneto-inertial fusion (MIF) using Lithium Deuteride wire array as propulsion system. Based on recent vehicle design studies produced by NASA and UAH, and emerging physics insights in the open literature, magneto-inertial fusion (MIF) appears to represent a leading approach for low cost light weight development of fusion reactors for in-space propulsion. The goal is to present a combined circuit model for a LTD driven Lithium Deuteride wire array Z-pinch accelerator. This model will help to determine the viability of LTD driven Lithium Deuteride wire array for a break even fusion driven propulsion device and to highlight the areas that still need work done on them before the concept is used on its first space flight.
Keywords :
Z pinch; aerospace propulsion; differential equations; explosions; fusion reactors; lithium compounds; plasma accelerators; Kirchoff current law; Kirchoff voltage law; LTD driven fast Z-pinch; ODE; fusion reactors; in-space propulsion; linear transformer drivers; lithium deuteride wire array; magneto-inertial fusion; propulsion; pulse power generator; wire array Z-pinch accelerator; wire array implosion; Arrays; Lithium; Magnetosphere; NASA; Propulsion; Vehicles; Wires;
Conference_Titel :
Plasma Science (ICOPS), 2013 Abstracts IEEE International Conference on
Conference_Location :
San Francisco, CA
DOI :
10.1109/PLASMA.2013.6635013