Inertial Fusion Energy Target Designs with Advanced Laser Technologies

Executive Summary – The proposed work is focused on developing advanced designs for inertial fusion energy (IFE) applications. The innovative approach is based on three key elements: (1) new broadband and deep UV laser technologies to mitigate deleterious effects of laser-plasma interaction; (2) high-gain (G > 100) laser direct-drive (LDD) designs with enhanced laser coupling and mitigated imprint at moderate laser energies (EL ~ 1 MJ); and (3) simplicity and low-cost of targets [relative to nominal deuterium−tritium (DT) layered inertial confinement fusion (ICF) targets] using foam shells filled with liquid DT; to the best of knowledge, these designs offer the only target solutions where the cost is consistent with the IFE mass production requirements.