Progress of inertial confinement research detailed

Recent progress of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) research is discussed. The cannonball target, the high power krypton fluoride (KrF) laser, the ion beam diode, and the imploding foil plasma are discussed. The principle of the cannonball target, its advantages over ordinary ablation targets, and the problem of hole sealing are discussed. The powerful KrF excimer lasers pumped by electron beams are discussed. This type of laser is now generally regarded as one of the more promising drivers for ICF. The complex kinetics of pumping, quenching, radiation, and absorption of this very interesting laser are discussed. The present status of ion beam production, especially the diodes which produce the ion beams are covered. Three types of diodes are discussed: the pinch reflec diode (PRD), the diode with an externally applied magnetic field, and the hybrid amphion diode. Finally, the impliding foil plasma is considered. This technique produces plasmas of very high temperature and very intense soft X-rays which may either be used to produce an X-ray laser or as a new driver for ICF.