APS Logo

Inertial Fusion Energy Target Designs to Capitalize on Next-Generation Laser Technologies

ORAL

Abstract

The recent demonstration of 1.3 MJ of fusion yield with laser indirect drive (LID) at the National Ignition Facility, along with progress in target performance of laser-direct-drive (LDD) inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions, has sparked interest in using ICF for energy production. Recent performance improvements in both LID and LDD implosions have pushed toward designs with high adiabats and high implosion velocities with a focus on effectively coupling of energy into the hot spot. This is largely because of high levels of hydrodynamic instability and the presence of laser–plasma interactions (LPI’s) that can limit laser coupling and significantly reduce the ablative drive pressure. By contrast, in the case of high-gain designs (G > 100), lower-adiabat designs with higher mass assemblies and low implosion velocities are required. Such designs are not compatible with the LPI limitations imposed by current laser technology. Development of next-generation, broadband UV laser technologies should significantly reduce the effects of deleterious LPI, significantly increasing the drive pressure while also reducing hydrodynamic instability seeding generated by imprint. It is therefore an opportune time to explore a design space relevant to IFE that will be opened up by these technologies. We present a number of target designs with wetted foam that explore this space. Additionally, a route to widening the ignition design space is investigated using “dynamic-shell” targets.

–

Presenters

  • William T Trickey

    Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

Authors

  • William T Trickey

    Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Valeri N Goncharov

    University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Igor V Igumenshchev

    Lab for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Timothy J Collins

    University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Christophe Dorrer

    University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Russell K Follett

    Laboratory for Laser Energetics - Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Michael J Rosenberg

    University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester

  • Nathaniel R Shaffer

    Lab for Laser Energetics, Lab. for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Rahul C Shah

    Laboratory for Laser Energetics - Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Alexander Shvydky

    Lab for Laser Energetics, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Wolfgang R Theobald

    University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester

  • Stefano Atzeni

    Univ of Rome La Sapienza

  • Francesco Barbato

    Universita di Roma, Univ of Rome La Sapienza, Univ of Roma La Sapienza

  • Lorenzo Savino

    Univ of Rome La Sapienza, Univ of Roma La Sapienza

  • Mike M Campbell

    Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics of the University of Rochester, LLE, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester