Hybrid indirect-drive/direct-drive target for inertial confinement fusion
View Patent ↗A hybrid indirect-drive/direct drive for inertial confinement fusion utilizing laser beams from a first direction and laser beams from a second direction including a central fusion fuel component; a first portion of a shell surrounding said central fusion fuel component, said first portion of a shell having a first thickness; a second portion of a shell surrounding said fusion fuel component, said second portion of a shell having a second thickness that is greater than said thickness of said first portion of a shell; and a hohlraum containing at least a portion of said fusion fuel component and at least a portion of said first portion of a shell; wherein said hohlraum is in a position relative to said first laser beam and to receive said first laser beam and produce X-rays that are directed to said first portion of a shell and said fusion fuel component; and wherein said fusion fuel component and said second portion of a shell are in a position relative to said second laser beam such that said second portion of a shell and said fusion fuel component receive said second laser beam.
1. A hybrid indirect-drive/direct drive apparatus for inertial confinement fusion, comprising:
a central fusion fuel component;
a first portion of a shell surrounding said central fusion fuel component, said first portion of a shell having a first thickness;
a second portion of a shell surrounding said fusion fuel component, said second portion of a shell having a second thickness that is greater than said thickness of said first portion of a shell; and
a hohlraum containing at least a portion of said fusion fuel component and at least a portion of said first portion of a shell,
said hohlraum adapted to produce X-rays that are directed to said first portion of a shell and said fusion fuel component; and
wherein said at least a portion of said fusion fuel component and said second portion of a shell are not contained in said hohlraum.
2. The hybrid indirect-drive/direct drive apparatus for inertial confinement fusion of claim 1 further comprising a fill tube extending through said first portion of a shell and said second portion of a shell to said fusion fuel component.
3. A hybrid indirect-drive/direct drive apparatus for inertial confinement fusion, comprising:
a central fuel unit;
a first portion of a shell surrounding said central fuel unit, said first portion of a shell having a first thickness;
a second portion of a shell surrounding said central fuel unit, said second portion of a shell having a second thickness that is greater than said thickness of said first portion of a shell; and
a hohlraum containing at least a portion of said central fuel unit and at least a portion of said first portion of a shell,
said hohlraum adapted to produce X-rays that are directed to said first portion of a shell; and
wherein said at least a portion of said central fuel unit and said second portion of a shell are not contained in said hohlraum.
4. The hybrid indirect-drive/direct drive apparatus for inertial confinement fusion of claim 3 further comprising a fill tube extending through said first portion of a shell and said second portion of a shell to said central fuel unit.
5. A hybrid indirect-drive/direct drive apparatus for inertial confinement fusion, comprising:
a central fuel unit;
a shell surrounding said central fuel unit, said shell having a first portion partially surrounding said central fuel unit and a second portion partially surrounding said central fuel unit;
wherein said first portion has a first thickness and said second portion has a second thickness that is greater than said first shell thickness; and
a hohlraum containing at least a portion of said first portion of said shell having a first thickness,
said hohlraum adapted to produce X-rays that are directed to said first portion of said shell having a first thickness; and
wherein said at least a portion of said central fuel unit and said second portion of said shell having a second thickness that is greater than said first shell thickness are not contained in said hohlraum.
6. The apparatus for inertial confinement fusion utilizing laser beams from a first direction and laser beams from a second direction of claim 5 further comprising a fill tube extending through said shell to said central fuel unit.
7. A hybrid indirect-drive/direct drive apparatus for inertial confinement fusion, comprising:
a central fuel unit;
a first portion of a shell surrounding said central fuel unit, said first portion of a shell having a first thickness;
a second portion of a shell surrounding said central fuel unit, said second portion of a shell having a second thickness that is greater than said thickness of said first portion of a shell, said second portion of a shell comprising fuel; and
a gold hohlraum containing at least a portion of said central fuel unit and at least a portion of said first portion of a shell,
said gold hohlraum adapted to produce X-rays that are directed to said first portion of a shell; and
wherein said at least a portion of said central fuel unit and said second portion of a shell are not contained in said gold hohlraum.
8. The hybrid indirect-drive/direct drive method for inertial confinement fusion of claim 7 wherein said second portion of a shell comprising fuel is solid deuterium-tritium.