Milestones at the IFMIF prototype accelerator
28 Nov 2014
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European Domestic Agency, Fusion for Energy
The Low Energy Beam Transport (LEBT) unit of the IFMIF prototype accelerator, LIPAc. IFMIF is an accelerator-based neutron source that will produce, using deuterium-lithium nuclear reactions, a large neutron flux similar to that expected at the first wall of a fusion reactor.
The International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility, IFMIF, is one of the projects launched under the Broader Approach Agreement, a partnership in fusion energy research between Europe and Japan. IFMIF is an accelerator-based neutron source that produces, using deuterium-lithium nuclear reactions, a large neutron flux similar to that expected at the first wall of a fusion reactor.
Two important milestones were recently achieved at the Linear IFMIF Prototype Accelerator (LIPAc): the accomplishment of the first hydrogen plasma in the ionization chamber, and the first extraction of an ion beam (H+).
Both were important achievements for the LIPAc team. After the accomplishment of the widely anticipated first plasma, extensively reported in Japanese media, further commissioning allowed a proton beam of 100 keV and 100 mA to be obtained. The prospects are now excellent to reach the target of extracting a current of 140 mA of 100 keV D+ ions in the forthcoming commissioning phase with deuterium.
The LIPAc team in Rokkasho, Japan, has successfully accomplished the first hydrogen plasma in the ionization chamber and the first extraction of an ion beam (H+).
The Japanese Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has been responsible for the procurement of the LIPAc conventional systems, such as the accelerator building, the secondary cooling system, and the machine and personnel protection system. Europe's contribution, coordinated by Fusion for Energy, has been delivered by the European countries who are voluntarily contributing to the Broader Approach. The LIPAc injector was developed and manufactured by the French Atomic and Alternative Energies Authority (CEA Saclay). It has been successfully installed in Rokkasho, Japan, and is now under commissioning.
See the IFMIF website for more information.