Abstract

The world’s most powerful infrared lasers have been frequency-converted to submicron wavelengths. The basic concept of inertial fusion is that of implosion, driven by ablation, of a capsule containing thermonuclear fuel. Densities of over a thousand times solid density and thermonuclear fuel temperatures exceeding a few thousand electron volts are required for success in establishing the scientific feasibility of inertial fusion. In the direct-drive approach to laser fusion, a short-wavelength high-intensity laser pulse is focused directly onto the fuel capsule, ablating the outer layers which cause the capsule to implode.

© 1986 Optical Society of America