Capsules with beryllium ablators have long been considered as alternatives to plastic for the National Ignition Facility laser ; now the superior performance of beryllium is becoming well substantiated . Beryllium capsules have the advantages of relative insensitivity to instability growth, low opacity, high tensile strength, and high thermal Zimmerman and W. L. h e r , Comments Plasmas Phys. Controlled Thermonucl. Fusion, 2 , 5 1 (2975)l results that particular beryllium capsule designs are several times less sensitive than the CH point design to instability growth from DT ice roughness. These capsule designs contain more ablator mass and leave some beryllium unablated at ignition. By adjusting the level of copper dopant, the unablated mass can increase or decrease, with a corresponding decrease or increase in sensitivity to perturbations . A plastic capsule with the same ablator mass as the beryllium and leaving the same unablated mass also shows this reduced perturbation sensitivity. Beryllium's low opacity permits the creation of 250 eV capsule designs. Its high tensile strength allows it to contain DT fuel at room temperature. Its high thermal conductivity simplifies cryogenic fielding.

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Hamsters were injected with titanium, aluminum, and vanadium salts either intraperitoneally or intramuscularly to study the transport, storage, and elimination of these metals. Blood samples were taken at 4 h or 24 h, and urine samples were taken at 24, 48, and 72 h. The hamsters were then injected weekly for 5 weeks after the initial injection. Blood and portions of the kidneys, liver, lung, and spleen were taken at sacrifice. All samples were analyzed for titanium, aluminum, and vanadium concentrations using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS). Titanium was found not to be excreted in the urine, was found in low levels in the blood, and was elevated over control in the kidney, liver, and spleen. Aluminum detection via GFAAS showed wide standard deviations and high levels in controls; however, aluminum was found to be excreted in the urine, and to be transported by the blood in the experimental animals. A small amount accumulated in the liver and spleen. Vanadium was excreted in high levels in the urine. A small amount was found in the blood, and the level in the organs was below the reliable detection limits. The rapid excretion of vanadium might be related to its solubility in physiological conditions, while the limited excretion of titanium may be related to its being insoluble in the physiologic environment.

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