A polar direct drive liquid deuterium-tritium wetted foam target concept for inertial confinement fusion *

We propose a new approach to Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) that could potentially lead to ignition and propagating thermonuclear burn at the National Ignition Facility (NIF).  The proposal is based upon a combination of two concepts -- Polar Direct Drive (PDD)¹ and liquid deuterium-tritium wetted foam (WF) capsules².  With this new concept, 2D radiation hydrodynamic simulations indicate that ICF ignition and propagating thermonuclear burn are possible well within the laser power and energy capabilities available today on the NIF.

1.  C. B. Yeamans et al., “High Yield Polar Direct Drive Fusion Neutron Sources at the National Ignition Facility,” Nuclear Fusion 61, 046031 (2021). 

2.  R. E. Olson et al., “First Liquid Layer Inertial Confinement Fusion Implosions at the National Ignition Facility,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 245001 (2016).