Ultrafine Fuel Layers for Application to ICF/IFE Targets

We report on credible solutions for fabrication of isotropic ultrafine fuel layers within ICF/IFE targets. The layers have enhanced mechanical strength and thermal stability that is of critical importance for target fabrication, acceleration, and injection. The effects of the extent of microstructure irregularity and bulk fuel properties are demonstrated. Emphasis is given to isotropic properties of the ultrafine layers for avoiding instabilities caused by grain-affected shock velocity variations. The considered fuel layers have the potential to advance materials for application to fusion target fabrication in the form that meets the requirements of implosion physics.