| Webster's Online Dictionary |
| Expressions | Domain | Definition | |
| Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) | Physics | In plasma physics, ICF stands for Inertial Confinement Fusion, the approach to fusion in which a fuel capsule is imploded very quickly, so that the inertia of the converging fuel ions allows fusion to occur before the particles can disperse. The fuel capsule implosion is either driven directly or indirectly. In direct-drive ICF, intense laser beams symmetrically heat and compress the capsule itself. In indirect-drive ICF, laser or particle beams heat a hohlraum (radiation cavity) surrounding the capsule, producing intense X-rays that in turn heat and implode the capsule. ICF schemes for power production envision the use of a steady stream of small fuel pellets (1-10 per second). These are sequentially fed into a large target chamber and imploded in turn by a repetitively pulsed laser or particle beam system known as the driver. Some parts of ICF fusion research are relevant to nuclear weapons and remain classified due to their national security implications and applications, though much of ICF research was declassified in 1993. (references) | |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | Top | ||
