Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 March 2009
A self-consistent model for the beamline of a light ion beam fusion reactor is presented. Code calculations for the region from the end of the Magnetically Insulated Vacuum Transmission Line (MITL) entering the ion diode to the energy output from fusion reactions in the pellet fuel are described. The design utilises state-of-the-art pulsed power and a concept for repetitive operation of a pinch reflex diode. Deuterium beams are launched at 6·3 MV and are transmitted through preionized channels. Overall energy transfer efficiency from electrical source to pellet is 20%. The principal developments required are beam brightness, which scales from present day experiments, and repetitive diodes.