Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion Targets

This issue consists of an unclassified body, which contains all of the panel’s conclusions and recommendations, and focuses study on IFE targets, including both direct-drive and indirect drive targets.

Authors consider the technical feasibility of fabricating various target concepts to be within its charge, but deemed the mass manufacturing of high-performance, cost-effective targets for future power plants to be part of the main committee’s responsibility.

Contents
SUMMARY
1 INTRODUCTION
2 TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
Inertial Confinement Fusion and Inertial Fusion Energy
Basics of ICF Target Physics and Design
3 PROLIFERATION RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INERTIAL FUSION ENERGY AND WITH SPECIFIC TARGET DESIGNS
Context and Historical Perspective
Classification: ICF and IFE
Proliferation Concerns Associated with Different IFE Target Concepts
Weapons Material Production at IFE Plants
Knowledge Transfer at ICF Facilities
ICF for Other Purposes
The Importance of International Engagement
Advantages and Disadvantages of Fusion Plants with Respect to Proliferation
4 EVALUATION OF ICF TARGETS
Solid-State Laser-Driven, Indirect-Drive Targets
Solid-State Laser-Driven, Direct-Drive Fusion
Krypton Fluoride Laser-Driven, Direct-Drive Fusion
Heavy-Ion-Driven Targets
Z-Pinch Targets
Output Spectrum from Various IFE Targets
Target Fabrication
Overarching Conclusions and Recommendation
REFERENCES
APPENDIXES
A Biographical Sketches of Panel Members
B Panel Meeting Agendas and Presenters
C Acronyms