Laser-fusion targets for reactors
This patent describes a target having a centrally located substantially spherically configured quantity of solid fuel for implosion by a pulse of laser energy and having no material therein with a Z of over about 13. The improvement consists of: means in spaced apart and non-contiguous relationship surrounding the fuel for at least providing an atmosphere about the fuel for ensuring electron transport around the fuel and enhancing subsequent implosion symmetry of the fuel, the fuel being configured as a hollow shell; the means consisting of at least one outer layer of substantially solid atmosphere forming material having a Z of 1-13. The atmosphere forms material comprising a shell positioned about the fuel defining a space therebetween, the space being filled with He, the fuel and the shell of atmosphere forming material being each composed of DT, the layer of atmosphere forming material being impacted and at least partially exploded by at least one separate and distinct laser prepulse to produce the atmosphere about the fuel prior to implosion of the fuel by the pulse of laser energy.
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4687618
- OSTI ID:
- 5951626
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
700208* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Inertial Confinement Technology
ELECTRON MOBILITY
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
FUELS
GASES
HELIUM
IMPLOSIONS
LASER FUSION REACTORS
LASER IMPLOSIONS
LASER TARGETS
MOBILITY
NONMETALS
PARTICLE MOBILITY
POSITIONING
PULSES
RARE GASES
SOLID FUELS
SPACE DEPENDENCE
SYMMETRY
TARGETS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS