Laser and Particle Beams · 1999 · 10 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesNuclear EngineeringPhysicsFusion EngineeringHeat TransferPlasma PhysicsFusion PlasmasInertial Confinement FusionNuclear FusionPlasma ConfinementPlasma HeatingReactor DesignAblation PhysicsBlowoffDirect DriveInertial ConfinementInertial Confinement Reactor DesignLaser-driven FusionRayleigh-taylor InstabilityTarget Design
We describe two approaches to the design of a direct-drive high-gain pellet for inertial confinement fusion reactors that has enhanced stability due to the reduction in the Rayleigh-Taylor growth rate and enhanced thermal smoothing of laser imprint. The first design incorporates an overcoat containing a high-Z element that radiatively heats the ablator during the foot of the laser pulse. The second incorporates a very low density foam ablator that is compressed by a series of transmitted and reflected shocks. Both designs enhance thermal smoothing by developing a very long density scale length and high electron densities in the ablator blowoff.