A target fabrication and injection facility for laser-IFE

We have defined the characteristics of a target injection and tracking facility to validate the science and technology of full-scale components for a laser inertial fusion energy (IFE) power plant. This facility will be a key element of the plan to develop laser IFE with direct drive targets and solid wall chambers. It is the final step before construction of an engineering test facility. Elements of the facility include mass production (in batch mode) of cryogenic targets that meet the specifications of high gain, target injection into the chamber and target tracking in the chamber. The chamber will simulate the environment (background gas, wall temperature, etc.) envisioned for a laser IFE power plant, and the facility will include steering of a low-energy pulsed laser onto the target in flight. In this paper we describe the program goals and key science and technology issues which will be addressed in the facility, quantitative requirements for successful target injection, major characteristics of the various subsystems, and R&D which will be needed in order to prepare for its construction and operation.