Maximization of Inertial Confinement Fusion Yields through Laser Pulse Optimization

A method has been developed for the optimization of high-gain inertial confinement fusion targets. Using this method, software simulations have yielded pulse shapes that produce high fusion gain and demonstrate good target stability using a 1 megaJoule (MJ) laser source. These pulse shapes could help attain ignition on the National Ignition Facility inertial confinement fusion system. Introduction For many years Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) has been of interest as a source of clean energy. ICF is a technology that uses high-powered laser pulses to implode a small target containing deuterium and tritium fuel, compressing it to high enough densities and temperatures to initiate a self-sustaining thermonuclear burn wave resulting in ignition. The goal of this technology is power production. ICF is, in principle, capable of greater efficiencies than nuclear fission and uses fuels that are plentiful without the dangerous by-products of fission. Experimental and theoretical results at the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics and elsewhere have demonstrated that ICF may be feasible in practice as well.