Uniform illumination of spherical laser fusion targets

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1977 · Appl. Opt.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.16.002764· OSTI ID:5389836

Howard, J E

Uniformity of illumination of spherical laser fusion targets is calculated for eight, twelve, and twenty beams arranged according to the symmetry of the Platonic solids. Uniformity is optimized by varying the f/no. of ideal aberration-free lenses, amount of beam overlap, and the shape of the spatial beam profile. The numerical results show twenty-beam illumination to be slightly better than twelve-beam illumination, with eight beams running a poor third. Refractive energy losses due to nonorthogonal illumination and the implications for the design of a practical laser fusion reactor are discussed.

• Research Organization: University of Wisconsin, Nuclear Engineering Department, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
• OSTI ID: 5389836
• Journal Information: Appl. Opt.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Opt.; (United States) Vol. 16:10; ISSN APOPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

657005 -- Theoretical Physics-- Optics
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700208* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Inertial Confinement Technology
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FUEL PELLETS
FUSION YIELD
IRRADIATION
LASER RADIATION
NUCLEAR REACTION YIELD
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PELLETS
RADIATIONS
YIELDS