A Gas Dynamic Trap Neutron Source for Fusion Material and Subcomponent Testing

The successful operation (with 60%, classical ions and electrons with T_e = 250 eV) of the gas dynamic trap device at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics in Novosibirsk, Russia, extrapolates to a 2 MW/m² dynamic trap neutron source (DTNS), which burns only [approximately]100 g of tritium per full-power year. The DTNS has no physics, engineering, or technology showstoppers; the extension of neutral beam lines to steady state can use demonstrated engineering; and it supports near-term tokamaks and volume neutron sources. The DTNS provides a neutron spectrum similar to that of ITER and satisfies the missions specified by the materials community to test fusion materials (listed as one of the top grand challenges for engineering in the 21st century by the U.S. National Academy of Engineering) and subcomponents (including tritium-breeding blankets) needed to construct DEMO. The DTNS could serve as the first fusion nuclear science facility (FNSF), called for by ReNeW (the Research Needs Workshop), and could provide the data necessary for licensing subsequent FSNFs.