Liner Stability Problems for Megagauss Fusion

Abstract

Megagauss fields obtained by liner implosion may offer controlled fusion at much lower cost, size, and entry power levels than conventional fusion schemes. Such implosions are subject to elastic-plastic instability (for solid-density liners) and Rayleigh–Taylor instability in fluid liners (liquid or plasma). This paper provides budgets on allowable perturbations for the inner surface of the liner to offer a simple guide for researchers.