Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion Targets (2013) / Chapter Skim
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3 Proliferation Risks Associated with Inertial Fusion Energy and with Specific Target Designs
3 Proliferation Risks Associated with Inertial Fusion Energy and with Specific Target Designs
Pages 33-44
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From page 33... ...
The panel begins by providing some background on nuclear proliferation and inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and continues with discussions of several related topics: classification concerns, the relative proliferation risk associated with different target designs, weapons production in ICF facilities, knowledge transfer, other proliferation risks associated with ICF, and, finally, the importance of international engagement on this issue.
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From page 34... ...
For example, IFE plants and ICF research facilities provide an intense source of neutrons, which could, in principle, be used to generate 239Pu from 238U. In addition, information that could help coun tries develop more advanced boosted weapons or thermonuclear weapons could be gained from a thorough understanding of a fusion facility's operation.
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From page 35... ...
and the national weapons laboratories in the early 1960s. At that time, concerns about the potential for laser fusion weapons as well as close ties between ICF concepts and nuclear weapons design (particularly physics and simulation codes)
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From page 36... ...
It is important to realize that classification or export controls could themselves indirectly cause proliferation risks if denial of information, technology, or materials causes some nations to mount covert programs or withdraw from the NPT. There are four possible scenarios for future classification of IFE concepts.
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As noted previously, this goal relates ICF to thermonuclear weapons, and for this reason ICF (whether in a research facility or a power plant) is seen to pose some proliferation risk.
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Remain ing concerns are likely to focus on the use of classified codes for target design. WEAPONS MATERIAL PRODUCTION AT IFE PLANTS One of the key proliferation risks associated with any fusion plant (ICF or magnetic confinement fusion)
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From page 39... ...
capacity. Tritium not only is an essential fuel for a fusion power plant, but it also can be used in part to fuel modern, boosted fission weapons or thermonuclear weapons.
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From page 40... ...
Inertial Confinement Fusion Research Facilities Research facilities -- such as the National Ignition Facility (NIF) -- pose differ ent proliferation concerns than a fully functioning inertial fusion power plant, and the concerns associated with a host country misusing a research facility are likely to be greater than those associated with a fusion power plant.
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From page 41... ...
CONCLUSION 3-2: The nuclear weapons proliferation risks associated with fusion power plants are real but are likely to be controllable. These risks fall into three categories: • Knowledge transfer, • SNM production, and • Tritium diversion.
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From page 42... ...
THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT As described in the previous sections, there are proliferation risks associated with the use of ICF facilities around the world, and -- should IFE concepts prove to be fruitful -- with IFE plants themselves. Managing proliferation, whether it is associated with fission concepts or fusion concepts, is intrinsically an international problem.
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From page 43... ...
This lack of direct access to SNM is the major nonproliferation advantage of a fusion plant. The disadvantage of inertial fusion power plants is that they allow access to knowledge and experience with fusion, which will necessarily increase with the design and operation of such plants.
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From page 44... ...
Indeed, p in general, different countries have different classification policies. 7 J.Collier, UK Science and Technology Facilities Council, "Recent Activities and Plans in the EU and UK on Inertial Fusion Energy," briefing to the NRC IFE Committee, June 15, 2011.
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