Physics of laser direct-drive liquid deuterium–tritium wetted foam capsules for inertial confinement fusion

Olson, Richard Edward; Thomas, C. A.; Haines, Brian Michael; Schmitt, Mark J.

doi:10.1088/1741-4326/ae2596

Physics of laser direct-drive liquid deuterium–tritium wetted foam capsules for inertial confinement fusion

Journal Article · Thu Dec 18 00:00:00 EST 2025 · Nuclear Fusion

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-4326/ae2596· OSTI ID:3012236

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Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States)

Laser direct-drive liquid deuterium–tritium (DT) wetted foam capsules hold substantial promise for future advancements in inertial confinement fusion (ICF). For this new class of ICF capsules, additive manufacturing (AM) techniques are used to create low aspect ratio spherical shells of a low-density, foam-like CH lattice, which is wetted with cryogenic liquid DT. In the present paper, we discuss key physics issues intrinsic to ignition and burn propagation in laser direct drive wetted foam capsules. These include requirements on laser energy and power, implosion velocity, fuel adiabat, and initial density and dimensions of the CH lattice shell.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: 89233218CNA000001; NA0004144

OSTI ID:: 3012236

Report Number(s):: LA-UR--25-26077; 10.1088/1741-4326/ae2596

Journal Information:: Nuclear Fusion, Journal Name: Nuclear Fusion Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 66; ISSN 0029-5515; ISSN 1741-4326

Publisher:: IOP Science - IAEACopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Physics of laser direct-drive liquid deuterium–tritium wetted foam capsules for inertial confinement fusion

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