An indirect-drive non-cryogenic double-shell path to 1ω Nd-laser hybrid inertial fusion-fission energy

A high-yield, room temperature, double-shell target design using a Nd : glass laser driver at the fundamental frequency 1ω is developed for hybrid inertial fusion-fission energy generation (Moses et al 2009 Fusion Sci. Technol. 56 547). The associated 4-10x fission energy gain relaxes the gain requirements of the fusion driver, enabling the prospect of a volume-ignition target with high thermonuclear burn fraction, simplified (1ω) laser operations from a quasi-impulsive power history, room temperature fielding, minimal shock-timing requirements and reduced risk of plasma-mediated laser backscatter with a vacuum hohlraum.