Abstract
Direct-drive fusion with lasers is an attractive avenue for fusion energy. Simulations indicate there is potential for robust targets that have sufficient gain for energy. The envisioned power-plant laser systems would be highly modular allowing for development and testing of full-scale components prior to building the plant. In the United States there is an integrated program to develop the technologies for laser fusion energy including: high-repetition drivers (Electra krypton-fluoride (KrF) laser at NRL and Mercury diode-pumped solid-state laser at LLNL), target injection and fabrication, final optics, reaction chamber design and materials. This program takes advantage of the existing investment in lasers and target design by the Department of Energy as part of the stockpile stewardship program. Here we will discuss NRL contributions to the laser-fusion program including research on the KrF technology and the needed advanced target designs. We will also discuss our vision for a relatively low-risk and lower-cost development path to a fusion power plant using lasers.
© 2003 Optical Society of America
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