Heavy-ion fusion target cost model

An improved HIF commercial-application target cost model has been developed through consultation with an ad hoc panel of experts as part of the HIFSA project. The same general principles and many specifics of the cost methodology are directly applicable to laser and light-ion fusion targets. The principal advantages of the new model include: (1) treatment of potentially significant differences in costs for a wide variety of distinctly different target concepts; (2) scaling of target costs with important ICF plant parameters such as driver pulse energy, repetition rate, and total fusion plant capacity; and (3) a generic formulation that can be conveniently interfaced with cost models for other fusion plant systems