Description of capability
PSFC is developing a vacuum vessel for fusion that can withstand plasma disruptions. It relies on SiC with molten lead channels.
Some context: in a Nuclear fusion reactor, the fusion reaction happens inside a vacuum vessel, a hermetically sealed steel container that houses the fusion reactions and acts as a first safety containment barrier. It accomplishes several aims:
- Provide a high-vacuum environment for the plasma
- Shields radiation and radioactivity
In the SPARC design, the liquid sandwich vacuum vessel goes something like this: Plasma >> SiC >> Lead >> SiC >> FLiBe
Key people
Sara Ferry Jeffrey P Freidberg