Determination of the parameters of a target for generation of 1017 neutrons per laser pulse of 300 kJ energy

Abstract

Calculations are reported of the parameters of cryogenic shell targets capable of reaction ignition and generation of a pulse of ∼ 1017 neutrons by a laser pulse of 300 kJ energy and of 0.3 μm wavelength. Two laser pulse durations (1.3 and 2.6 ns) are considered. The proposed intensity profile of a laser pulse is intended to achieve low-entropy compression of a DT fuel by direct target irradiation. It is shown that the target parameters (fuel and shell masses, initial shell radius) can be selected to attain thermonuclear-burn ignition. A study is reported of the influence of various physical processes (turbulent mixing, fast-particle transport) on the burn stability.