Simple and Robust Method for Implosion of ICF Targets

Abstract

A method of imploding an Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) target may include directing laser energy into a hohlraum, where a target is disposed within the hohlraum that includes an ablator layer, a shell disposed within the ablator layer, and a fuel region disposed within the shell. The method may also include ablating the ablator layer in response to the laser energy being directed into the hohlraum, and generating a single shockwave that is driven inward through the ablator layer. The method may further include impulsively accelerating the shell inward when hit by the single shockwave, and compressing the fuel region by the inward acceleration of the shell.

1 . A method of imploding an Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) target, the method comprising:
 directing laser energy into a hohlraum, wherein a target is disposed within the hohlraum, wherein the target comprises:
 an ablator layer; 
 a shell disposed within the ablator layer; and 
 a fuel region disposed within the shell; 
   ablating the ablator layer in response to the laser energy being directed into the hohlraum;   generating a single shockwave that is driven inward through the ablator layer;   impulsively accelerating the shell inward when hit by the single shockwave; and   compressing the fuel region by the inward acceleration of the shell.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the laser energy comprises a square pulse. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising suppressing fluctuations and non-uniformities in a density and pressure profile within the fuel region. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the fluctuations and non-uniformities are suppressed by interaction with a radiation field in the fuel region. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising converting the laser energy into x-ray radiation within the hohlraum. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the laser energy produces an illumination pattern on one or more ring-shaped baffles lining the hohlraum such that the one or more ring-shaped baffles absorb the laser energy and radiate a uniform field of x-ray radiation that fills the hohlraum. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein compressing the fuel region comprises uniformly raising the temperature of the fuel region without generating a hot spot. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising reducing radiation losses from the fuel region using the shell after the fuel region is compressed. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein compressing the fuel region comprises generating a ρr of at least approximately 0.6 g/cm 2  and a temperature of at least approximately 2.5 keV in the fuel region. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the single shockwave that is driven inward through the ablator layer is uniform.