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Division Spotlight
Reactor Physics
The division's objectives are to promote the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the fundamental physical phenomena characterizing nuclear reactors and other nuclear systems. The division encourages research and disseminates information through meetings and publications. Areas of technical interest include nuclear data, particle interactions and transport, reactor and nuclear systems analysis, methods, design, validation and operating experience and standards. The Wigner Award heads the awards program.
Meeting Spotlight
Conference on Nuclear Training and Education: A Biennial International Forum (CONTE 2025)
February 3–6, 2025
Amelia Island, FL|Omni Amelia Island Resort
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Christmas Night
Twas the night before Christmas when all through the houseNo electrons were flowing through even my mouse.
All devices were plugged in by the chimney with careWith the hope that St. Nikola Tesla would share.
M. P. Mauldin, A. L. Greenwood, M. N. Kittelson, C. H. Shearer, J. N. Smith, Jr., D. M. Woodhouse
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 49 | Number 4 | May 2006 | Pages 842-845
Technical Paper | Target Fabrication | doi.org/10.13182/FST06-A1211
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Fast ignition is a concept that is being actively investigated in the HED community. The fast ignition targets described here are highly precise targets composed of a small glow discharge polymer (GDP) shell (~860 m diameter) mounted on a gold hyperboloid tipped cone. The process of creating these targets is composed of several steps. The first step consists of machining a copper cone that is then plated with a layer of gold approximately 120 m thick. Next, a hole is machined in a hollow GDP shell that will later be mounted on the gold gone. After the hole of this shell has been measured, the coated cone is machined to shape and to include a shelf so that the shell will sit at the desired location in relation to the tip of the cone. Finally, the copper mandrel is etched away from the gold and the target is assembled with the shell glued into place. At every step of this process, parts must be made and kept within tight specifications to meet the target requirements, not the least of which is that after assembly the shell center must be a specified distance from the gold cone tip with a tolerance of less than 10 m.