| The basic principle of direct energy conversion of nuclear energy into coherent radiation (Nuclear-Pumped Laser or NPL) has been established by many experiments.{dollar}sp{lcub}1-3{rcub}{dollar} Because the high energy density available in nuclear fuel permits a high total output with a very low mass, Nuclear-Powered Lasers offer the possibility of being able to operate very high power lasers from a space base. However, the Nuclear-Pumped Laser is not only an interesting research tool, but also an embryonic engineering technology. It is the most important among all the areas of engineering to develop some specific types of nuclear reactors for use with Nuclear-Pumped Lasers. These reactors need to be coupled with the laser system efficiently, and then provide a high energy conversion efficiency. This study will evaluate the reactor engineering from neutronics point of view, while considering the laser electronics and thermodynamics.; Four basic reactor concepts designed specifically for nuclear-pumped lasers have been identified in this study, that is, "the thermal reactor laser","the aerosol-core reactor/laser", "the surface-source reactor/laser" and "the flash lamp gas core reactor/laser". The neutronic design of the reactors for geometries and materials appropriate to each of these concepts is examined. The specific properties in neutronics of these reactors are analyzed. The total reactor size and weight for each of these concepts are estimated. Because the feasibility of using nuclear power to produce a laser pulse of short duration and high intensity is of more current interest, this study concludes with some reactor kinetic behavior. The laser systems that would be coupled to these reactors are not discussed in detail. All the calculations are based mainly on one dimensional diffusion and transport theory, using multiple energy groups. These one dimensional calculations have confirmed the feasibility of four basic concepts from a neutronics point of view. |
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