HIF liquid hydraulics scaling and pocket design

High-temperature, low-vapor-pressure liquid jets can provide neutron shield ing for inertial fusion energy target chambers. To minimize pumping power, free liquid jets must be located close to the target to reduce the total li quid volume required for shielding each Fusion shot. Compact liquid geometr y provides additional benefits in reducing focus-magnet stand off distance for heavy ion drivers and improving target performance. The disruption of t he liquid due to close proximity to targets involves complex fluid mechanic s, as does the subsequent droplet clearing and pocket regeneration. The ran ges of time, length, and energy-density scales in liquid-protected target c hambers are extreme, making scaling analysis a crucial component of designi ng experiments to understand individual and coupled hydraulics phenomena. ( C) 2001 Elsevier Science B,V. All rights reserved.