Chapter 172 - A cryostat with optics windows for study of ICF cryogenics target

Abstract

This chapter describes an optical cryostat used for fabricating inertial confinement fusion (ICF) cryogenic target. In the ICF technology, one key is to produce a cryogenic target with an evenly distributed liquid fuel layer inside it. Utilizing thermal gradient vertically crossing the target to overcome the gravity is an effective method. The manufactures of this kind of cryogenic target call for a cryostat of a special design, which must satisfy some requirements. First, it can provide a low-temperature environment within 10–40 K. Second, it must hold a target cell, in which an ICF target can be loaded. Third, it must possess a temperature control system that can be utilized to create a desired thermal gradient vertically crossing the target cell. Fourth, it must have optical windows. The cryostat holds a target cell. With the temperature control system, a desired thermal gradient vertically crossing the cell can be formed. The specifications of the optical cryostat are presented.