Simple and robust implosion of ICF targets
AssigneeInnoven Energy LLC
InventorsConner D. Galloway, Alexander V. Valys, Robert O. Hunter, Jr., David H. Sowle
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Abstract
A method of imploding an Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) target may include directing laser energy into a hohlraum, where a target is disposed within the hohlraum that includes an ablator layer, a shell disposed within the ablator layer, and a fuel region disposed within the shell. The method may also include ablating the ablator layer in response to the laser energy being directed into the hohlraum, and generating a single shockwave that is driven inward through the ablator layer. The method may further include impulsively accelerating the shell inward when hit by the single shockwave, and compressing the fuel region by the inward acceleration of the shell.
Claims8
A target assembly for Inertial Confinement Fusion (“ICF”), the target assembly comprising:
- a cylindrical hohlraum comprising
- an opening in at least one end of the cylindrical hohlraum;
- a disc end cap that covers a center portion of the opening while leaving an annular-shaped opening between the disc end cap and the at least one end of the cylindrical hohlraum through which laser beams can enter the hohlraum;
- and
- one or more ring-shaped baffles disposed on an interior surface of the cylindrical hohlraum that are positioned to be illuminated by the laser beams entering the hohlraum through the annular-shaped opening;
- and
- a target supported by a foam metal material and disposed within the hohlraum, wherein the target comprises:
- an ablator layer, wherein the ablator layer comprises a combination of low-Z, medium-Z, and high-Z materials;
- a shell disposed within the ablator layer;
- and
- a fuel region disposed within the shell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.