Laser inertial fusion

Although the energy of the radiation pulses generated by the world's largest laser facilities approach the MJ limit, it is still lower than that calculated on means of the Lawson criterion for thermonuclear fusion. The severe energy requirements can be weakened by efficient pre-compression of laser targets and by non-linear conversion of laser radiation to shorter wavelengths. The homogeneity of the laser target irradiation can be improved by using multi-beam or indirect-drive laser schemes. The neodymium laser facilities such as Nova Upgrade in Livermore or Gekko XII in Osaca are still the most promising fusion drivers, but the chances of powerful iodine lasers such as ISKRA 5 in Arzamas and Asterix in Munich are also high. The prospects of these and other laser fusion drivers are critically assessed and the role of smaller devices as the Prague iodine laser Perun is discussed. (J.U.) 6 figs., 7 refs