Direct-Drive Inertial Fusion Research at the University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics: A Review
This paper reviews the status of direct-drive inertial confinement fusion (ICF) research at the University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE). LLE's goal is to demonstrate direct-drive ignition on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) by 2014. Baseline "all-DT" NIF direct-drive ignition target designs have been developed that have a predicted gain of 45 (1-D) at a NIF drive energy of ~1.6 MJ. Significantly higher gains are calculated for targets that include a DT-wicked foam ablator. This paper also reviews the results of both warm fuel and initial cryogenic-fuel spherical target implosion experiments carried out on the OMEGA UV laser. The results of these experiments and design calculations increase confidence that the NIF direct-drive ICF ignition goal will be achieved.
- Research Organization:
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- FC52-08NA28302
- OSTI ID:
- 975484
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/NA/28302-940; 2003-16; 1921
- Journal Information:
- Current Trends in International Fusion Research-Proceedings of the Fifth Symposium, edited by E. Panarella and R. Raman (NRC Press, Ottawa, Canada, 2008), Journal Name: Current Trends in International Fusion Research-Proceedings of the Fifth Symposium, edited by E. Panarella and R. Raman (NRC Press, Ottawa, Canada, 2008)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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