Abstract

There are two general approaches to inertial confinement fusion using lasers: direct and indirect drive. In the indirect (radiation or Hohlraum) approach, the laser beam energy is absorbed and converted to x-rays by a case made of a high-atomic weight element,¹ The x-rays are then absorbed by the capsule’s ablator and drive the implosion. In the direct-drive approach, laser light directly irradiates a spherical target. Direct-drive is potentially more energy efficient than indirect drive if the required laser irradiation uniformity can be achieved.

© 1992 Optical Society of America