Central Laser Facility Home to the Worlds Most Intense Lasers

1. Central Laser FacilityHome to the Worlds Most Intense Lasers

2. HiPER: Top-level goals: Fully capitalise on the science of extreme conditions Credible path for future exploitation of laser fusion energy Defining features of HiPER: Reduced tolerances on laser, target infrastructure Higher repetition rate International, collaborative approach Next step (after fusion demo)

3. 4 key goals need to be met: Ignition demonstration [NIF] Evidence for advanced ignition path [current research in US, Europe and Japan] Technology development for advanced route Robust, costed project for the next step The future path … International cooperation is essential Decisions to proceed based on demonstrable results

4. Money 3-year “preparatory phase” funded Manpower Project Manager elect (Chris Edwards) Executive Board appointed & 1st meeting (includes senior MFE staff and European laboratory directors) John Wood: International Steering Council Music! Launch party: 6 October, London Recent Progress…

5. Coordination Now well established within the project International links are essential Workshop tonight Confidence In the chosen ignition route(s) and facility specification Do we as a community believe in our field? Credibility Clear, robust plan for development What is now needed from us?

6. Facility capability has to be clearly differentiated from NIF/LMJ and other large scale facilities Enable a broad-based, world-class science program Represent a major step for IFE (demonstrate sufficient capability to allow progression to a demo reactor) High gain fusion facility Internationally attractive, including at the level of co-funding Achievable and affordable by 2020 Sufficiently defined to allow entry to detailed engineering design at the end of the preparatory phase Sufficient flexibility to allow for change and upgrade based on emerging experimental and theoretical results Strategic Guiding Principles for HiPER

7. 2 options: High yield (fast ignitor) demonstrator based on optimised NIF/LMJ technology Technology for a high rep-rate fusion facility Technology options for the next step Both options to be analysed to allow an informed decision

8. 2008 2014? 2020s Indicative timeline for HiPER NIF ignition 2-year conceptual design phase (2005,6) Included on European roadmap (Oct 06) UK endorsement – coordinators (Jan 07) Preparatory phase Project start (Apr 08) Demonstrators (PETAL, DPSSL) Fast Ignition evidence

9. Assessment of the economic and societal impact of the project Detailed scope and cost estimate of the next phase Identify likely funding sources for the next phases Identify candidate hosts and sites Safety and environmental analysis Legal & governance models for subsequent phases Agreed plan regarding dual-use issues Agreed plan to encourage and develop ITER synergy Industrialsupply analysis Communication and stakeholder plans Hold open options for a fully international HiPER Business case for subsequent phase Outputs from the 3-year EC contract

10. Facility requirements for high gain fusion Facility requirements for a prioritised fundamental science programme Coordinated validation experiments to define areas of confidence/risk Conceptual solutions for novel technical requirements (i.e. not found on NIF/LMJ) Conceptual design of a high repetition-rate laser & target area solution Cost/benefit analysis of 2 principal technology options Fusion technology roadmap that demonstrates a credible future path Identification of the required R&D for future phases, including demonstrators Outputs from the 3-year R&D project Much of the R&D work is of broad-based benefit to the future direction of this general field

11. Laser design High repetition rate, high efficiency drivers Improved understanding of the target performance Physics validation of the Fast Ignition approach Target manufacture methods Bulk production and characterisation Integrated system designs High repetition rate target area Required technical developments

12. Laser design High repetition rate, high efficiency drivers Improved understanding of the target performance Physics validation of the Fast Ignition approach Target manufacture methods Bulk production and characterisation Integrated system designs High repetition rate target area Required technical developments

13. Design and costing (through life) of LMJ-style HiPER facility (brief assessment) Lessons learned, Procurement options Target Area design for unique 200+100kJ (long+short) combination Switchyard assessment for 2 major target areas Assessment of OPCPA configuration option Beamline design for short pulse Propose options to increase repetition rate of LMJ-style beamlines Facility assessment for DPSSL-based option Cost/benefit comparison of 2w and 3w (construction + operation) 2w CPA conversion Phase locking of short pulse beamlets Assessment of support infrastructure requirements Identification of science & technology tasks for PETAL Laser Design tasks – an initial list

14. Path to “single shot” option seems clear, and is seeing rapid development e.g. NIF fast ignition options High confidence that this path could be taken: limited design work needed Additional technology requirements are common across both options Undertake an “Impact Assessment” for this European “single-shot” option New design work should focus on “high rep-rate” solutions to assess the scale of the challenge, and allow an informed decision We are talking about a facility for 2020 onwards High rep-rate demonstrator, leading to high rep-rate HiPER facility “Burst mode” operation: scale? Major impact on both the fundamental science and fusion programmes Needs significant developments in: Laser technology Target fabrication, injection and handling Target area solutions High repetition laser option

15. High repetition beamline prototype kJ scale beamline demonstrator is being assessed

16. HiLASE - prototype beamline project aligned to HiPER EUROPEAN ECONOMIC INTEREST GROUP Joint Venture between industrial partners Research facility v.v.i between academic partners University Overlooking long term development EEIG: one management, sharing funds, full partnership between academic labs and industry, partnership between similar projects. Easy to set, open to new partners Joint Venture: Necessary for the largest laser systems (complex and expensive), risk reduction, highest efficiency and thus impact to the market. Might also be used for commercialisation. Research facility v.v.i: Set a prototype of HiPER (e.g. in Czech Republic) including experiments (to solve the question of high rep-rate and activation)

17. Laser design High repetition rate, high efficiency drivers Improved understanding of the target performance Physics validation of the Fast Ignition approach Target manufacture methods Bulk production and characterisation Integrated system designs High repetition rate target area Required technical developments

18. with 18-20 kJ e- 0.9-1.2 g/cm2 range Sensitivity analyses … Indicates: • 200 kJ implosion laser • 70 – 100 kJ ignition laser Assuming • cone to blob ~ 100 mm • divergence ~ 30º half-angle • fl ~ 0.4 mm • we can believe these codes Questions: Are these simulations believable? Flexibility for other advanced ignition options? Best route to a coordinated experimental programme? Need specific point designs on integrated facilities

19. Laser design High repetition rate, high efficiency drivers Improved understanding of the target performance Physics validation of the Fast Ignition approach Target manufacture methods Bulk production and characterisation Integrated system designs High repetition rate target area Required technical developments

20. Target Fabrication – planned work Self-consistent target design • Iterate design to specify a practical, robust target: • manufacture & fielding constraints • plasma modelling specifications • overall facility design constraints • Determine credible, large scale target production route • Assess high rep-rate injection and tracking techniques • Assess cryogenic DT infrastructure requirements & costs To produce : Conceptual Design for target assembly and fielding : Assessment of European capability in this area : Future R&D plans for required target production

21. Laser design High repetition rate, high efficiency drivers Improved understanding of the target performance Physics validation of the Fast Ignition approach Target manufacture methods Bulk production and characterisation Integrated system designs High repetition rate target area Required technical developments

22. High repetition rate target area (HiPER option) “burst mode” Robotics handling First wall materials Optics and diagnostics survivability Reactor design (longer term) Compatibility with Fast Ignition Coordination with US (HAPL, LIFE), Japan (iLIFT) Definition of required R&D program IFE “Reactor” development

23. Conclusions • We must plan on success with ignition (and help ensure that success) • A concept for a next-generation European facility has been proposed • Next (3-year) planning phase is funded • Technology R&D planning for a high rep-rate approach is the priority • Coordinated, international approach

24. 3 main deliverables, to provide a compelling business case for funding the subsequent phase/s : Conceptual design of the HiPER facility (2 principal options) Establish sufficient level of capability Self-consistent point designs Technology roadmap Coordination with international partners Industrial engagement International confidence in the chosen ignition route Legal, financial and governance framework Preparatory phase project This work starts now to coincide with anticipated success on NIF, and physics demonstrations for advanced ignition schemes

25. Intent is to explore the cost / benefit / risk during the next phase. Preserve the option to progress to high repetition if risk & funding allow Initial “wish list”: <10 second repetition time for full system shots in burst mode Number of shots per burst, N > 10 At least some of the N shots in a burst must be high yield DT Target injection and tracking to be used Robotic handling in the tritiated target chamber. 1 burst every 6 months Isolated (single shot) capability for a full system shot once every few days (to optimise target design for burst mode) High repetition rate option