Microfabrication and microcharacterization techniques for laser fusion targets

Journal Article · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · J. Vac. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.570636· OSTI ID:5121167

Halpern, G M

A review is presented of some recent accomplishments in the fabrication and characterization of laser fusion targets. Exploding pusher targets, consisting of deuterium--tritium filled glass microballoons, are discussed. Techniques are described for selecting high quality shells, filling them with D--T fuel by permeation, and characterizing their fuel content by nondestructive beta counting. More advanced targets employed in experiments using the six beam laser system ZETA consist of argon filled glass shells coated with plastic. A method is described for filling shells with argon, which involves laser drilling a submicron hole in the balloon wall. Three methods are discussed for applying plastic coatings to these targets. Targets for upcoming experiments on the 24 beam laser system OMEGA involve multishell configurations. A new microfabrication molding and replication technique is being implemented to produce spherical and identical hemispherical shells used in the assembly of OMEGA targets. Details of this technique are provided. A physical vapor deposition system is also described which has the capability of coating levitated microballoons with metals and other materials amenable to sputtering. Finally, a method of examining opaque targets using contact microradiography is discussed.

• Research Organization: Exxon Research and Engineering Co., Corporate Research Science Laboratories, Linden, New Jersey
• OSTI ID: 5121167
• Journal Information: J. Vac. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Vac. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 17:5; ISSN JVSTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700208* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Inertial Confinement Technology
AIRSHIPS
ARGON
BALLOONS
COATINGS
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELEMENTS
ESTERS
FABRICATION
GLASS
IMPLOSIONS
LASER IMPLOSIONS
LASER TARGETS
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
MICRORADIOGRAPHY
MICROSCOPY
MICROSPHERES
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASMA
PLASTICS
POLYACRYLATES
POLYMERS
POLYVINYLS
RARE GASES
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
TARGETS
VAPOR DEPOSITED COATINGS