Scaling Double Shell Target Designs

Double shell inertial confinement fusion (ICF) targets¹ provide an alternative ignition platform utilizing volume ignition compared to hot spot ignition. The current point design uses a 1.5 MJ reverse ramp laser pulse that has been verified with multiple experiments to produce a predictable shape^2,3 and computationally theorized to obtain a 1 MJ thermonuclear yield. Scaling the current double shell point design to the NIF limit of 2.2 MJ could allow for additional margin built into designs, pushing designs to higher yield in a more robust fashion. This talk will focus on the physics challenges that this higher drive could encounter. Designs for 2 MJ, 2.2 MJ, and a possible NIF upgrade to 2.6 MJ and 3 MJ will be discussed. The physics of the implosion including changes to the kinetic energy transfer, estimates of the Rayleigh-Taylor growth factors, compressed fuel volume, and pusher/fuel areal density will be focused on.

[1] D. Montgomery et al., PoP 25, 092706 (2018)

[2] R. Sacks et al., PoP 31, 062710 (2024)

[3] Z. Mohamed et al., PoP 31, 052701 (2024)