High Temperatures in Inertial Confinement Fusion Radiation Cavities Heated with 0.35μmLight

Abstract

We have demonstrated efficient coupling of 0.35 $\mu \mathrm{m}$ laser light for radiation production in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) cavity targets. Temperatures of 270 eV are measured in cavities used for implosions and 300 eV in smaller cavities, significantly extending the temperature range attained in the laboratory to those required for high-gain indirect drive ICF. High-contrast, shaped drive pulses required for implosion experiments have also been demonstrated for the first time. Low levels of scattered light and fast electrons are observed, indicating that plasma instability production is not significant.