Hybrid-drive implosion system for ICF targets

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:875213

Mark, James W. ^[1]

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1. Danville, CA

Hybrid-drive implosion systems (20,40) for ICF targets (10,22,42) are described which permit a significant increase in target gain at fixed total driver energy. The ICF target is compressed in two phases, an initial compression phase and a final peak power phase, with each phase driven by a separate, optimized driver. The targets comprise a hollow spherical ablator (12) surroundingly disposed around fusion fuel (14). The ablator is first compressed to higher density by a laser system (24), or by an ion beam system (44), that in each case is optimized for this initial phase of compression of the target. Then, following compression of the ablator, energy is directly delivered into the compressed ablator by an ion beam driver system (30,48) that is optimized for this second phase of operation of the target. The fusion fuel (14) is driven, at high gain, to conditions wherein fusion reactions occur. This phase separation allows hydrodynamic efficiency and energy deposition uniformity to be individually optimized, thereby securing significant advantages in energy gain. In additional embodiments, the same or separate drivers supply energy for ICF target implosion.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): H000508
• Application Number: 07/108183
• OSTI ID: 875213
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 1987 Oct 14
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

statutory invention registration
hybrid-drive
implosion
icf
targets
systems
described
permit
significant
increase
target
fixed
total
driver
energy
compressed
phases
initial
compression
phase
final
peak
power
driven
separate
optimized
comprise
hollow
spherical
ablator
surroundingly
disposed
fusion
fuel
density
laser
beam
following
directly
delivered
operation
conditions
reactions
occur
separation
allows
hydrodynamic
efficiency
deposition
uniformity
individually
securing
advantages
additional
embodiments
drivers
supply
significant increase
significant advantages
phase separation
hollow spherical
peak power
energy deposition
significant advantage
power phase
fusion fuel
fusion reaction
icf target
reactions occur
fusion reactions
surroundingly disposed
hybrid-drive implosion
targets comprise
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