MASS MANUFACTURING OF CRYOGENIC FUEL TARGETS FOR LASER IFE SYSTEMS
Working with moving cryogenic targets opens up the possibility for the practical implementation of in-line technologies in the inertial fusion energy (IFE) systems for the production of environmentally safe fuels and the generation of electric and thermal energy. This paper presents the results of the advanced research cycle obtained in the field of constructing a repeatable layering module (LM) for cryogenic targets production of a reactor-scaled design. The work is intended for mass manufacturing of IFE targets that is of specific science interest for the high-power laser community. The principle of LM operation is based on the FST (free-standing target) layering method: formation of a solid fuel layer inside free-standing and line-moving targets, which was proposed and developed at the Lebedev Physical Institute (LPI). The practical realization of this innovative technology will be the development of a prototype of a specialized-in-line FST-LM of repeatable operation for the low-cost target production and their noncontact delivery at the focus of the reaction chamber of high repetition rate facilities.