The stability of a liquid-lithium jet flow is of importance in a laser fusion reactor design. In this report we analyze and discuss jet stability with respect to fluid dynamics, delineating physical factors that may affect the jet breakup and performing some simple calculations to determine quantitatively the relative influences of various parameters. We define areas of uncertainty and recommend possible experimental verification, theoretical analysis, or both.

A unique pure reaction turbine, for geothermal applications, has been developed. This radial outflow reaction turbine (RORT) is designed specifically to produce power from the expansion of saturated or compressed liquid at temperatures of less than 180/sup 0/C. In the tests reported here the highest efficiency measured was 32.7%, clearly below the peak efficiency for this small machine. Extrapolations to larger machines indicate that an efficiency near 50% is a credible goal, an attractive performance as either a Total Flow expander for liquid or in conjunction with conventional flashed steam systems. A rough cost estimate indicates that a 7.5 MW RORT would cost somewhere between 0.5 M$ and 1.5 M$, and could add about 15% increase in the power output of a conventional 50 MW plant. This means that for less than a 3% increase in capital cost the bus bar energy cost can be reduced by about 10%. Another important result is that the RORT is uniquely suited for conversion of the thermal and pressure energy components in the geopressured resources. The development and proof of feasibility of efficient liquid expanders broadens the opportunities for economic power production from lower temperature geothermal resources, and possibly utilization of waste heat …

Efforts devoted to searches for short-lived nuclides in the debris from large thermonuclear explosions are reviewed along with reactor production of Es and Fm. Results of underground tests are discussed along with odd-even yield variations, and future directions for heavy-element synthesis. (JRD)

The plasma closure of spatial filter pinholes is a critical parameter in the performance of high energy glass laser systems. Using 50 to 100 J, 300 psec FWHM laser pulses on the Janus laser, an investigation has been made on closure effects in 300 ..mu..m to 500 ..mu..m diameter pinholes of various materials and thicknesses. Calorimetry measurements have yielded data on pinhole transmission and intensity loading on the periphery of the pinhole. Ultrafast streak photography measurements indicate effective closure velocities of 2 x 10/sup 7/ cm/sec to 5 x 10/sup 7/ cm/sec. Scattered light measurements have shown the transmission loss through a typical spatial filter configuration to be primarily refractive in nature.