Parametric system studies for the Prometheus IFE reactor designs

The authors report on the preliminary results of a systems performance and costing model being developed to support an inertial fusion energy (IFE) reactor design study. Both KrF laser and heavy-ion (HI) linac drivers with direct-drive (DD) and indirect-drive (ID) targets are being evaluated. The trade studies have led to the selection of a DD design point for the KrF laser system (Prometheus-L) with a nonlinear optics approach for the pulse compression. A single-beam linac with storage rings is being compared to the conventional multiple beam approach for the heavy-ion system (Prometheus-H). Trade study results are discussed to illustrate factors which influenced design point selection and highlight technology development areas being identified by the study