The picture of laser light absorption and scattering which is emerging from theory and computer simulation studies of laser-plasma interactions is described. On the subject of absorption, we discuss theoretical and experimental evidence that resonance absorption in a steepened density profile is a dominant absorption mechanism. Recent work also indicates the presence of critical surface ripples, which we study using two and three dimensional computer simulations. Predictions of hot electron spectra due to resonance absorption are described, as are effects of plasma outflow. We then discuss two regimes where stimulated scattering may occur. Brillouin scattering is expected in the underdense target blow-off, for long laser pulses, and is limited by ion heating. Raman scattering in the background gas of a reactor target chamber is predicted to be at most a 10 percent effect for 1 ..mu..m lasers.

Construction of a large tandem mirror (MFTF-B) will soon begin at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Designed to reach break-even plasma conditions, the facility will significantly advance the physics and technology of magnetic-mirror-based fusion reactors. This paper describes the objectives and the design of the facility.

A model for the physics of exploding pusher targets is presented which compares favorably with the predictions of the complex simulation code, LASNEX.

A discussion is given of the anticipated operating conditions at the ISABELLE storage rings. Communications between experimental and control areas are considered, and beam luminosity monitoring is discussed. Running conditions and expected problems are outlined. (PMA)

A simple model has been developed which when normalized by experiment or Lasnex calculations can be used to scale neutron yields for variations in laser input power and pulse length and target radius and wall thickness. The model also illucidates some of the physical processes occurring in this regime of laser fusion experiments. Within certain limitations on incident intensity and target geometry, the model scales with experiments and calculations to within a factor of two over six decades in neutron yield.

Employing the current world average ..lambda../sub MS/ = 0.160 GeV as input, the minimal Georgi-Glashow SU(5) model predicts sin/sup 2/theta/sub W/(m/sub W/) = 0.214, m/sub b//m/sub tau/ approx. = 2.8 and tau/sub p/ approx. = (0.4 approx. 12) x 10/sup 29/ yr. The first two predictions are in excellent agreement with experiment; but the implied proton lifetime is already somewhat below the present experimental bound. In this status report, uncertainties in tau/sub p/ are described and effects of appendages to the SU(5) model (such as new fermion generations, scalars, supersymmetry, etc.) are examined.

This paper describes the desktop computer/CAMAC-based system that controls the power source for the Tandem Mirror Experiment-Upgrade (TMX-U) magnet power system. Presently it contains 42 dc rectifier power supplies connected to 24 magnet coils arranged in 17 circuits. During each shot, the system delivers 22.6 MW dc to the magnets for about 3 s. The system is presently being changed to add six power supplies, two solenoidal throttle coils, and two reverse C-coils. When complete, the delivered power will increase to 36.9 MW. The closed-loop control system usually provides current (and thus, magnetic field) that is within 1% of the requested current. Achieving this accuracy required using grounding, shielding, and isolation methods to reduce noise and related problems. These are also discussed.

This report contains the text and slide reproductions of a speech on nuclear waste disposal in basalt. The presentation addresses the layout of repository access shafts and subsurface facilities resulting from the conceptual design of a nuclear repository in basalt. The constructibility issues that must be resolved prior to construction are described. (DMC)

The Tandem Mirror Experiment (TMX) under construction at LLL is a Q-enhancement experiment using two mirror fields to ''plug'' a central solenoid field. Neutral beam injection supplies the energetic neutrals to the plug regions with attendant quantities of cold gas. The vacuum vessel consists of two large stainless steel tanks, which house the plug coils, joined by an aluminum central cell tank, which fits inside the existing solenoid coils from the 2XIIB experiment. The plug tanks are subdivided into regions for differential pumping of the source gas by liquid-nitrogen- or water-cooled liners. The liners are gettered by Ti--Ta wire sublimators of the 2XIIB type, using 2XIIB power supplies, to supply the necessary high-speed surface pumping. The roughing vacuum system consists of mercury vapor diffusion pumps backed by Roots-type blowers.

A target production concept is described for the production of multilayered cryogenic spherical inertial confinement fusion targets. The facility is to deliver targets to the reactor chamber at rates up to 10 per second and at costs consistent with economic production of power.

Described is a general approach to the development of computer programs capable of designing image-forming optical systems without human intervention and of improving their performance with repeated attempts. The approach utilizes two ideas: (1) interpretation of technical design as a mapping in the configuration space of technical characteristics and (2) development of an intelligent routine that recognizes global optima. Examples of lens systems designed and used in the development of the general approach are presented, current status of the project is summarized, and plans for the future efforts are indicated.

Article discussing the role of committed minorities in time of crisis.

This paper discusses hybridization of modified Stellarator-like transform windings (T-windings) with a Spheromak or Field-Reversed-Mirror configuration. This configuration, Stellarmak, retains the important topological advantage of the Spheromak or FRM of having no plasma linking conductors or blankets. The T-windings provide rotational transformation in toroidal angle of the outer poloidal field lines, in effect creating a reversed B/sub Toroidal/ Spheromak or adding average B/sub T/ to the FRM producing higher shear, increased limiting ..beta.., and possibly greater stability to kinks and tilt. The presence of field ripple in the toroidal direction may be sufficient to inhibit cancellation of directed ion current by electron drag to allow steady state operation with the toroidal as well as poloidal current maintained by neutral beams.

Particulate material collected by filtration from the north Equatorial Pacific Ocean has been analyzed for plutonium and other radionuclides. Different filter pore size, types of filter substrates, flow rates, and sample volumes were evaluated. Retention of /sup 239 +240/Pu was found to vary with the sample volume filtered and was not greatly affected by the type of filter substrate, flow rate, or porosity tested. About 7 +- 3% of the /sup 239 +240/Pu activity in north Equatorial Pacific surface water is found with the particulate material filtered from 120 liters of water, while less than 1% is retained on samples with volume of 20,000-70,000 liters. Clearly an understanding of these results is necessary to correctly assess the quantity of plutonium, other radionuclides and trace elements associated with and transported by particulate material in the marine environment.

Setting performance criteria for systems that safeguard special nuclear material (SNM) involves many considerations: characteristics of adversaries attempting to divert SNM, safeguards response to attempts, costs of safeguards systems, and the consequences of diverted SNM. This paper describes an Aggregated Systems Model which is designed to assist decision makers integrate and evaluate consistently these diverse factors. Results from applying the model to a hypothetical facility handling SNM are summarized. The paper also describes a new performance criterion designed to measure the effectiveness of a safeguard system in deterring adversaries.

A good comprehensive review of research progress and the present status of research on inertial confinement, tokamak device, and magnetic mirror technology is given. (MOW)

An 8-MW, 100 percent duty cycle, hard tube series regulator used to control the accelerating voltage of a neutral beam source is described. The series tube is a developmental switch/regulator tube capable of holding off 200 kV passing 85 A, and dissipating 2 MW of anode power. The regulator has high-speed interrupt capability to minimize the power delivered to the load in the event of a load fault. Its design is such that it can be used to regulate both positive and negative accelerating voltages. All reference/control signals between the modulator and the control station use optical links to minimize noise interference and ground loop problems. In all cases of optical coupling, the loss of light is the worst-case condition, i.e., loss of light turns off the regulator. The fast interrupt is accomplished by rapid removal of the screen grid voltage from the series tube, and then driving the control grid into cutoff. After the control grid is in cutoff the screen is allowed to recover, and the regulator is then ready to switch back on. The regulator tube driver is a straightforward dc-coupled amplifier with a cathode follower output; dc isolation between various sections of the modulator is accomplished …

Geophysical exploration for engineering purposes is conducted to decrease the risk in encountering site uncertainties in construction of underground facilities. Current responsibilities, opportunities and challenges for those with geophysical expertise are defined. These include: replacing the squiggly line format, developing verification sites for method evaluations, applying knowledge engineering and assuming responsibility for crucial national problems involving rock mechanics expertise.

Controlled fusion, pursued by investigators in both the magnetic and inertial confinement research programs, continues to be a strong candidate as an intrinsically safe and virtually inexhaustible long-term energy source. We describe the status of magnetic and inertial confinement fusion in terms of the accomplishments made by the research programs for each concept. The improvement in plasma parameters (most frequently discussed in terms of the Tn tau product of ion temperature, T, density, n, and confinement time, tau) can be linked with the construction and operation of experimental facilities. The scientific progress exhibited by larger scale fusion experiments within the US, such as Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory's Fusion Test Reactor for magnetic studies and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Nova laser for inertial studies, has been optimized by the theoretical advances in plasma and computational physics. Both TFTR and Nova have exhibited ion temperatures in excess of 10 keV at confinement parameters of n tau near 10/sup 13/ cm/sup -3/ . sec. At slightly lower temperatures (near a few keV), the value of n tau has exceeded 10/sup 14/ cm/sup -3/ . sec in both devices. Near-term development plans in fusion research include experiments within the US, Europe, and Japan to …

A new concept is proposed for pumped limiter designs that allows more flexibility and therefore better control of the edge plasma and its recycling at the limiter than previous designs.

In support of this effort, an average of 55 samples with approximately 4 analyses per sample comes into the ICPP analytical laboratory each day. Information concerning these samples, the 60 people handling the samples, and the 90 methods of running samples is registered, processed, and accessed daily. A manual paper system was found to be inadequate for an efficient, accurate, interacting network; thus, the need for a more spontaneous system emanated. The Analytical Laboratory Computer System is designed to automate and streamline the generation and storage of this data and to increase the credibility of sample results. A 256 K byte Data General Eclipse C/300, a 62 K byte Hewlett-Packard 9845A, and 8 Tetronix 4023 terminals are being used to achieve this goal. The Eclipse is used for data input-output and the calculation and bias correction of laboratory results; the 9845 computer is used for data manipulation for quality control. Utilization of the data provides some powerful tools in such areas as quality control, data classification, and analyst/method performance evaluation. The simplicity and clarity of operating the system as well as the complexities of design and implementation are also discussed.

This article discusses non-Markovian nonstationary completely positive open-quantum-system dynamics.

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Bruce Merrifield, trained as a biochemist, had to address three major challenges related to the development and acceptance of solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). The challenges were (1) to reduce the concept of peptide synthesis on a insoluble support to practice, (2) overcome the resistance of synthetic chemists to this novel approach, and (3) establish that a biochemist had the scientific credentials to effect the proposed revolutionary change in chemical synthesis. How these challenges were met is discussed in this article.