Inertial fusion science and technology for the 21 st century

This paper reviews the leading edge of the basic and applied science that use high-intensity facilities. The more than 15 000 experiments on the Nova laser since 1985 and many thousands more on other laser, particle beam, and pulsed power facilities around the world have established the new laboratory field of high-energy-density plasma physics and have furthered development of inertial fusion. High-brightness femtosecond lasers have enabled the study of matter in conditions previously unachievable on earth. These experiments and advanced calculations have established the specifications for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) and Laser MegaJoule (LMJ) and have enhanced scientific fields such as laboratory astrophysics. Science and technology developed in inertial fusion have found near-term commercial use, have enabled steady progress toward the goal of fusion ignition and gain in the laboratory, and have opened up new fields of study for the 21 ^st century.     

Elementary Many‐Particle Processes in Plasma Microfields

The effect of electric and magnetic plasma microfields on elementary many‐body processes in plasmas is considered. As detected first by Inglis and Teller in 1939, the electric microfield controls several elementary processes in plasmas as transitions, line shifts and line broadening. We concentrate here on the many‐particle processes ionization, recombination, and fusion and study a wide area of plasma parameters. In the first part the state of art of investigations on microfield distributions is reviewed in brief. In the second part, various types of ionization processes are discussed with respect to the influence of electric microfields. It is demonstrated that the processes of tunnel and rescattering ionization by laser fields as well as the process of electron collisional ionization may be strongly influenced by the electric microfields in the plasma. The third part is devoted to processes of microfield action on fusion processes and the effects on three‐body recombination are investigated. It is shown that there are regions of plasma densities and temperatures, where the rate of nuclear fusion is accelerated by the electric microfields. This effect may be relevant for nuclear processes in stars. Further, fusion processes in ion clusters are studied. Finally we study in this section three‐body recombination effects and show that an electric microfield influences the three‐body electron‐ion recombination via the highly excited states. In the fourth part, the distribution of the magnetic microfield is investigated for equilibrium, nonequilibrium, and non‐uniform magnetized plasmas. We show that the field distribution in a neutral point of a non‐relativistic ideal equilibrium plasma is similar to the Holtsmark distribution for the electrical microfield. Relaxation processes in nonequilibrium plasmas may lead to additional microfields. We show that in turbulent plasmas the broadening of radiative electron transitions in atoms and ions, without change of the principle quantum number, may be due to the Zeeman effect and may exceed Doppler and Stark broadening as well. Further it is shown that for optical radiation the effect of depolarization of a linearly polarized laser beams propagating through a magnetized plasma may be rather strong. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Properties and Phenomena: Basic Plasma Physics and Fusion Research in Postwar America

I review the changing conceptions of basic physics that the U.S. plasma-physics community put forward in postwar America. I give special attention to the tense relationship between fusion research and the more general study of plasmas in astrophysics, space science, and industry.Although fusion research often led to results that were regarded as basic plasma physics, its dominating influence tended to weaken other plasma work, as becomes evident when I compare the public statements and professional fortunes of plasma scientists during the 1960s, when fusion research experienced a downturn, with those of the 1970s, when fusion research flourished. I also show that the plasmaphysics community’s conceptions of basic physics were not highly regarded or easily understood by science administrators and the general physics community. To make this point, I contrast two general ideas of basic physics: the Big Questions conception and the Properties and Phenomena conception. Gary J.Weisel; Gary J.Weisel is Associate Professor of Physics at Penn State Altoona in Altoona, Pennsylvania. His historical research focuses on the development of subdisciplines in twentieth-century physics. He also carries out research in nuclear physics and materials science.     

Stabilization of interchange modes by rotating magnetic fields

Interchange modes have been a key limiting instability for many magnetic confinement fusion configurations. In previous studies intended to deal with these ubiquitous instabilities, complex, transport enhancing, minimum-B producing coils were added to the otherwise simple linear mirror plasma. Possible solutions for returning to a simple symmetric mirror configuration, such as ponderomotive fields, are weak and difficult to apply. A new method is demonstrated here for the first time, utilizing rotating magnetic fields that are simple to apply and highly effective. A simple and easily comprehensible theory has also been developed to explain the remarkable stabilizing properties. Although this work has been performed on field reversed configurations, it should have a wide application to other confinement schemes, and could become a cornerstone for high-beta plasma stability.     

The Hartree‐Fock method: from self‐consistency to correct symmetry

The Hartree‐Fock method, one of the first applications of the new quantum mechanics in the frame of the many‐body problem, is a good example of the attempts of many physicists to adapt their work on the old Bohr theory to new discoveries. It also shows the necessity to enlarge the theoretical foundations given by Schrödinger and Heisenberg. The present work illustrates the challenges of the many‐body problem in the new quantum mechanics by evaluating the contributions of both Hartree, who developed a self‐consistent process to calculate the energy of an atom, and Fock, who set out the correct theoretical foundations of the method.     

Radiation Phenomena of Plasma Waves Part 3. Radiation from Finite Sources

Radiation phenomena of plasma waves has been reviewed in three parts, fundamental radiation theory, radiation from point sources, and radiation from finite sources. It is the author's impression that the theoretical prediction of the resonance cone by Kuehl (Phys. Fluids 5, 1095 [1962]) initiated much of the theoretical work. The experimental observation of the resonance cone by Fisher and Gould (Phys. Fluids 14, 857 [1971]) is an epoch-making work in the field of radiation problems from point sources. Although finite sources had been used for excitation of many plasma waves, the experimental confirmation of the radiation patterns from finite sources by Shen et al. (Rad. Sci. 5, 611 [1970]) has initiated much later work. Since thier investigations, radiation phenomena of plasma waves have been investigated and been made clear by many authors, as shown in this review paper Parts 1 - 3. The essential radiation phenomena from point sources have been clarified experimentally except for an observation of electromagnetic ion waves radiated from point sources. Radiation phenomena from finite sources will be investigated further because there are various sources required for various goals, e.g., for heating of plasma infusion devices, etc. These investigations will progress into nonlinear phenomena, instabilities, and inhomogenuous effects in plasmas. It is a great pleasure for the author of this review paper if he could give some insight or any help for further developments in plasma sciences.     

等离子体四波混频精确解反射光栅位形

给出了均匀磁化等离子体介质中的简并与近简并的寻常波四波混频形成反射光栅位形时的普适非线性耦合方程组。在不作无衰减抽运近似的情况下,得到了任意复耦合系数时的方程组的精确解。其解不仅可以推广到各种等离子体形态,而且可以推广到光致折射材料中去。对进一步理论研究四波混频相位共轭,发展新的非线性光学器件可能有所帮助。     

Fusion and Space

A new concept in the development of plasma rocket engines is discussed. The development based on the results of many years of research on nuclear fusion and physics of hot plasma is implementing a concept with magnetic insulation of the plasma flow and electrodeless high-frequency methods for introducing energy into the plasma. The scheme is far superior to the traditional concepts of electrojet rocket engines in terms of its capabilities and prospects for the development.     

Dissipative ion‐acoustic waves in collisional electron‐positron‐ion plasmas with Kappa distribution

In this work, linear and non‐linear structures of ion‐acoustic waves (IAWs) are investigated in a collisional plasma consisting of warm ions, superthermal electrons, and positrons. A dissipative effect is assumed due to ion‐neutral collisions. The linear properties of IAWs are investigated. It is shown that the dynamics of the IAWs is governed by the damped Korteweg‐de Vries (K‐dV) equation. It is seen that the ion‐neutral collisions modify the basic features of ion‐acoustic solitary waves significantly. Also, the effect of the plasma parameters on the dissipative IAWs is discussed in detail.     

脉冲激光沉积动力学研究进展

脉冲激光沉积技术是现代常用的先进薄膜材料制备技术之一.文章在简要介绍脉冲激光沉积技术及其进展的基础上,较全面地介绍了脉冲激光沉积动力学的基本物理图像和动力学构架,深入地探讨了激光烧蚀靶材过程、等离子体膨胀过程和薄膜沉积过程的动力学规律,阐述了我国学者在脉冲激光沉积动力学研究方面的贡献,例如包括脉冲激光沉积三个工艺过程自洽的统一模型,等离子体膨胀的冲击波模型,基于局域能量动量守恒定律的新等离子体演化动力学模型,包括热源项、蒸发项、等离子体屏蔽效应和动态物性参数的烧蚀热传导模型,考虑电子碰撞效应和能带结构变化的修正双温模型,能统一描写从纳秒级到飞秒级脉冲激光烧蚀规律的统一双温模型等.     

Zur Theorie elektrostatischer Schwingungen in einem Vlasov-Plasma bei äußerem elektrischen Feld

Longitudinal plasma oscillations under the action of an external homogeneous time dependent electric field are examined with regard to the stability of the plasma. The basic model is an infinitely extended collisionless quasineutral two-component plasma. Starting from the linearized Vlasov equation dispersion relations are derived and discussed. It is shown that for an isothermal two-component plasma instabilities are possible, and limites for the area of instability are given. Further a second method of solution starting from an integral equation for the internal electric field is developed. The equivalence of both methods is shown by means of special cases.     

An Introduction to Digital Philosophy

Digital Philosophy (DP) is a new way of thinking about how things work. This paper can be viewed as a continuation of the author's work of 1990[3]; it is based on the general concept of replacing normal mathematical models, such as partial differential equations, with Digital Mechanics (DM). DP is based on two concepts: bits, like the binary digits in a computer, correspond to the most microscopic representation of state information; and the temporal evolution of state is a digital informational process similar to what goes on in the circuitry of a computer processor. We are motivated in this endeavor by the remarkable clarification that DP seems able to provide with regard to many of the most fundamental questions about processes we observe in our world.     

The Visible Intensified Cameras for Plasma Imaging in the TJ‐II Stellarator

Visible cameras are widely used in fusion experiments for diagnosis and for machine safety issues. They are generally used to monitor the plasma emission, but are also sensible to surface Blackbody radiation and Bremsstrahlung. Fast or high speed cameras capable of operating in the 10⁵ frames per second speed range are today commercially available and offer the opportunity to plasma fusion researchers of two‐dimensional (2D) imaging of fast phenomena such as turbulence, ELMs, disruptions, dust, etc. The tracking of these fast phenomena requires short exposure times down to the μ s range and the light intensity can be often near the signal to noise ratio limit especially in low plasma emission regions such as the far SOL Additionally, when using interference filters to monitor, e.g. impurity line emission, the photon flux is strongly reduced and the emission cannot be imaged at high speed. Therefore, the use of image intensifiers that amplify the light intensity onto the camera sensor can be of great help. The present work describes the use of intensifiers in the visible fast cameras of TJ‐II stellarator. We have achieved spectroscopic plasma imaging of filtered impurity atomic line emission at short exposure times down to the 10 μ s range depending on atomic line and concentration. Additionally, plasma movies at velocities of 2x10⁵ frames per second near the camera operation limit can be recorded with exposure times well below 1 μ s with sufficient signal to noise ratio. Although an increasing degradation of the image quality appears when raising the light amplification, an effective gain of up to two orders of magnitude of the light intensity is feasible for many applications (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

多色焦平面和图像融合SoC实现技术的研究

大规模、智能化的多色焦平面阵列探测器和高性能、高集成度的SoC技术是未来发展的方向。对多色焦平面的概况、发展和关键技术进行了分析。为了能够更有效的利用信息,把由多色焦平面探测器输出的,并经天然配准的各波段图像进行了融合处理。详细介绍了现有的多种图像融合算法、模型、SoC和高速处理硬件平台的研究情况以及若干新进展。     

一种大气压放电氦等离子体射流的实验研究

大气压介质阻挡放电（DBD）等离子体射流获得了广泛的应用.但是到目前为止,人们对其形成机理仍不甚清楚.为此,本文对其进行了一系列的实验研究.与其他采用高速CCD进行的研究不同,本文研究的主要手段是两个带有狭缝的光电倍增管,数码相机和电学测量.虽然这些实验条件相对比较简陋,但是本文仍然根据这些实验结果探讨了等离子体射流的形成机理,传输特性,以及影响等离子体射流长度的实验参数,并发现了“电荷溢流”现象. 关键词： 介质阻挡放电 电晕放电 大气压等离子体射流 电荷溢流     

Effects of a liquid lithium curtain as the first wall in a fusion reactor plasma

This paper explores the effect of a liquid lithium curtain on fusion reactor plasma, such curtain is utilized as the first wall for the engineering outline design of the Fusion Experimental Breeder （FEB-E）. The relationships between the surface temperature of a liquid lithium curtain and the effective plasma charge, fuel dilution and fusion power production have been derived. Results indicate that under normal operation, the evaporation of liquid lithium does not seriously affect the effective plasma charge, but effects on fuel dilution and fusion power are more sensitive. As an example, it has investigated the relationships between the liquid lithium curtain flow velocity and the rise of surface temperature based on operation scenario II of the FEB-E design with reversed shear configuration and high power density. Results show that even if the liquid lithium curtain flow velocity is as low as 0.5 m/s, the effects of evaporation from the liquid lithium curtain on plasma are negligible. In the present design, the sputtering of liquid lithium curtain and the particle removal effects of the divertor are not yet considered in detail. Further studies are in progress, and in this work implication of lithium erosion and divertor physics on fusion reactor operation are discussed.[第一段]     

红外与可见光图像融合的小型实时DSP平台实现

综合利用并实时处理红外与可见光图像的互补优势信息,设计实现了一种新型的以TMS320DM642——适合视频和图像处理的高性能定点DSP为核心的嵌入式硬件平台,可编程验证多种双波段图像融合算法。叙述了系统的结构设计和工作流程,板卡各关键组成单元的功能、原理,功耗计算,高频电路设计。介绍了系统的软件流程,包括初始化程序、驱动程序和融合应用程序的实现方法。结果表明,此高速、小型、低功耗的硬件平台可应用于便携式独立工作的双波段图像融合装置中。     

Review paper A4. Plasma impurities and cooling

In high-temperature low-density plasmas radiation cooling by impurity atoms can be an important energy loss mechanism, since the radiation is not reabsorbed. In a brief historical survey it is shown that the problem is not new but was discussed since the first beginning of controlled thermo-nuclear fusion research. It is then shown how radiation losses enter into the general power balance equation of a plasma containing impurities. The equations for the different types of radiation losses are given as a function of the atomic quantities. In a special section simplications due to the corona model assumption are discussed. It follows a detailed survey of the results obtained by several authors for the ionization balance and power losses of impurity elements observed in present high-temperature plasma machines used in CTR, especially in Tokamaks. In the conclusion a survey is given of the atomic data which experimentalists and theorists need for current research on impurities in fusion-like plasmas.     

The Schrödinger equation in quantum field theory

Some aspects of the Schrödinger equation in quantum field theory are considered in this article. The emphasis is on the Schrödinger functional equation for Yang-Mills theory, arising mainly out of Feynman's work on (2+1)-dimensional Yang-Mills theory, which he studied with a view to explaining the confinement of gluons. The author extended Feynman's work in two earlier papers, and the present article is partly a review of Feynman's and the author's work and some further extension of the latter. The primary motivation of this article is to suggest that considering the Schrödinger functional equation in the context of Yang-Mills theory may contribute significantly to the solution of the confinement and related problems, an aspect which, in the author's opinion, has not received the attention it deserves. The relation of this problem with certain others such as those of quarks, superconductivity, and quantum gravity is considered briefly, together with certain basic aspects of the formalism that may be of interest in their own right, especially for the beginner.Dedicated to Professor Fritz Rohrlich on the occasion of his seventieth birthday, May 12, 1991.