2010•ScienceRequires access
Symmetric Inertial Confinement Fusion Implosions at Ultra-High Laser Energies
S. H. Glenzer, B. J. MacGowan, P. Michel, N. B. Meezan, L. J. Suter, S. N. Dixit, J. L. Kline, G. A. Kyrala, D. K. Bradley, D. A. Callahan, E. L. Dewald, L. Divol, E. G. Dzenitis, M. Edwards, A. V. Hamza, C. Haynam, D. E. Hinkel, D. H. Kalantar, J. D. Kilkenny, O. L. Landen, J. D. Lindl, S. Le Pape, J. D. Moody, A. Nikroo, T. Parham, M. B. Schneider, R. P. J. Town, Paul J. Wegner, K. Widmann, Pamela K. Whitman, B. K. Young, B. Van Wonterghem, L. J. Atherton, E Moses
Open publisher page 367 citations
Abstract
Indirect-drive hohlraum experiments at the National Ignition Facility have demonstrated symmetric capsule implosions at unprecedented laser drive energies of 0.7 megajoule. One hundred and ninety-two simultaneously fired laser beams heat ignition-emulate hohlraums to radiation temperatures of 3.3 million kelvin, compressing 1.8-millimeter-diameter capsules by the soft x-rays produced by the hohlraum. Self-generated plasma optics gratings on either end of the hohlraum tune the laser power distribution in the hohlraum, which produces a symmetric x-ray drive as inferred from the shape of the capsule self-emission. These experiments indicate that the conditions are suitable for compressing deuterium-tritium-filled capsules, with the goal of achieving burning fusion plasmas and energy gain in the laboratory.