Motivation and fabrication methods for inertial confinement fusion and inertial fusion energy targets

Abstract

Popular target designs are reviewed. Possible methods of fusion target fabrication are discussed and the equipment and samples are demonstrated. The properties of the uniform and structured~cluster! materials are considered, showing the advantage of cluster material for energy conversion into soft X rays. The target materials with high content of hydrogen isotopes~BeD 2 , LiBeD 3 , or ND 3 BD 3 ! prove to be more effective for high-power drivers in comparison with beryllium or polyimide.

Activation and damage of fusion materials and tritium effects in inertial fusion reactors: Strategy for adequate irradiation

“…However, in order to turn inertial confinement fusion into an energy source that is economical and acceptable to the public, some major technological problems remain to be solved. These problems are the availability of cheap and reliable fusion targets~see chapter by E. Koresheva, D. Goodin, and T. Norimatsu in Mank et al, 2005;Borisenko et al, 2003!, the problem of adequate materials resistant to very intense and pulsed irradiation, and that of activated material from an inertial fusion power plant~Perlado & Sanz, 1993!. The activation problem as well as the associated tritium problem is the focus of discussion for many years at very different reactor concepts~Velarde & Perlado, 2002;Tahir & Hoffmann, 1997;Perlado & Sanz, 1993;Beller et al, 1993!.…”

Free standing target technologies for inertial fusion energy: Target fabrication, characterization, and delivery

“…The fast ignition concept is currently at the focus of the research effort~Mulser & Bauer 2004;Deutsch, 2003;Koshkarev, 2002!. The availability of suitable targets was identified as a key issue for inertial fusion basic research with lasers and heavy ion beams~Callahan et al, 2002;Borisenko et al, 2003!. Target supply with repeatable target fabrication and injection is an essential technology and science component for IFE. The availability of suitable targets was identified as a key issue for inertial fusion basic research with lasers and heavy ion beams~Callahan et al, 2002;Borisenko et al, 2003!. Target supply with repeatable target fabrication and injection is an essential technology and science component for IFE.…”

Thermonuclear gain and parameters of fast ignition ICF-targets

“…The theory was developed for two-layer thin shell target, which represents a shell-ablator with a DT-ice layer frosted onto the inner surface of the shell. Advanced technologies of production of the high gain targets of such a type were developed~see, for example, Borisenko et al, 2003!. It is expected that the target design ensures the energy supply from the triggering driver to the central part of thermonuclear fuel of a given mass, and at the same time, allows one to perform a symmetrical radial compression of the target by the compressing driver. In a spherical geometry such a target may be furnished with one or two conical channels for the injection of the triggering driver radiation.…”