Fast Ignition Inertial Fusion: An Introduction and Preview

The motivation for the fast ignition inertial fusion concept is presented as well as a brief synopsis of the papers contained within this dedicated issue. The papers cover a comprehensive view of the fast ignition inertial fusion field at the close of 2005, including both the present status and the future research that will exploit the next generation of facilities now under construction to investigate this emerging field of science and technology.