Abstract

In targets irradiated by 10.6-µm CO₂ laser light, strong toroidal magnetic fields generated around the laser focal spot have been reported.¹ The heat conductivity across the magnetic field is reduced by a factor of (ω_ceτ_e)⁻², where ω_ce and τ_e are the electron cyclotron frequency and mean collision time, respectively. In our new laser-induced fusion scheme, i.e., magnetically thermoinsulated inertial fusion proposed by one of the authors,² the heat conductivity is reduced by the self-generated magnetic field, while the plasma pressure is sustained by a tamper shell surrounding the plasma.

© 1985 Optical Society of America