This paper evaluates whether SFR metallic nuclear fuel can be economical. To make this determination, the cost of SFCF (SFR fuel cycle facilities) was estimated, and the break-even point of the manufacturing cost of SFR metallic nuclear fuel for direct disposal option was then calculated. As a result of the cost estimation, the levelized unit cost (LUC) for SFCF was calculated to be 5,311 $/kgHM, and the break-even point was calculated to be $5,267/kgHM. Therefore, the cost difference between LUC and the break-even point is not only small but is also within the relevant range of the uncertainty level of Class 3 in accordance with a generic cost estimate classification matrix of AACE (the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering). This means it is very difficult to judge the economical feasibility of SFR metallic nuclear fuel because as of today there are no commercial facilities in Korea or the world. The economic feasibility of SFR metallic nuclear fuel, however, will be enhanced if the mass production of SFCF becomes possible in the future.

Density fluctuations in helicon plasmas propagating perpendicular to the static axial magnetic field are observed by using a mm-wave collective scattering method. There exist two kinds of density fluctuations, and the high-frequency fluctuation around 500kHz follows the dispersion relation of the acoustic waves.

No abstract

No abstract

We developed a simple current mode preamplifier for the microchannel plate (MCP) with the anode biased to high voltage. It uses a capacitor to block dc high voltage and measures the MCP current through the capacitor. Then it compensates exactly the distortion caused by the capacitor so the amplifier can measure any length of signals without distortion. It is much less expensive and simpler than using the phosphor screen system to isolate the dc high voltage. We derived a formula for that compensation and implemented it by using an op-amp’s circuit. It gives an approximate time resolution of 10 μs which is restricted by the op-amp’s characteristics. So, it may be improved by using fast op-amp’s. This can also be used for channeltron and other electron multipliers. For the test of the preamplifier, we measured the photoelectron currents induced by the soft x rays radiated from the KT-1 tokamak of which the pulse length was 20 ms. The data revealed well, without distortion, the time evolution of the line radiation.