Innovative low activation designs for the LMF target chamber system

Because neutron activation can serious impede access to the proposed laboratory microfusion facility (LMF), the authors examined several low-activation design concepts for the target chamber, shielding, and final optics protection. The reference baseline is an aluminum chamber using low-density frost protection. It uses helium-gas cooling, a vacuum for thermal insulation, and a room-temperature water shield. A composite version of the chamber (also with frost protection) was studied. Two options considered were a thin-walled, laminated composite and a thick-walled cast silica-filled epoxy chamber. The latter was used in a study of the entire experimental facility, using rubber-mounted concrete optics supports