New Options and Challenges in Ignition Target Fabrication and Fielding
Abstract
Advances in the design of cryogenic ignition targets are stimulating new development paths for target fabrication. Incorporating graded dopants into ablators as well as optimizing capsule and fuel layer dimensions result in increased stability during simulated indirect-drive capsule implosions. This has led to a reconsideration of micron-scale fill tubes as a method of filling and fielding the targets. Rapid progress has been made in development and characterization of graded dopant layers in capsules, in fabrication methods for micro-fill-tubes, and in fuel fill control with these fill tubes. Phase-contrast x-ray radiography has allowed characterization of fuel layers in beryllium and other opaque targets, greatly increasing confidence in fielding cryogenic beryllium capsules. These target changes considerably simplify the requirements for the cryogenic and filling systems to field and support the targets, leading to a phased approach that will allow the evolution of target fielding capability after an initial implementation with fill-tube-based targets. Work performed under the auspices of the U.S. DOE by UC, LLNL contract No. W-7405-Eng-48.
- Publication:
-
APS Division of Plasma Physics Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- November 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004APS..DPPEM2001B