Recent Livermore research on ion beam fusion targets that (A) utilize direct drive efficiency while optimizing symmetry (B) utilize polarized DT-fuel

The authors have investigated several examples of ion beam targets which utilize the energy efficiency of direct drive while at the same time optimizing on the symmetry requirements. Heavy ion beams of charge state Z ≥ 3 at 5-10 GeV have < 15-20 m bending radii with 3.5 Tesla fields. Beams like these could be used with targets involving direct drive. Control of asymmetries in direct-drive ion beam targets depends on control of the effects of residual target asymmetries after an appropriate illumination scheme has been adopted. In this article, they outline results on their investigations into ion beam target concepts in which the effects of residual asymmetries are ameliorated. Thirty-two beams are placed according to their axially symmetric Gaussian-quadrature illumination scheme. The targets survive the effects of residual asymmetries in their recent 2D hydrodynamic simulations. They have also briefly discussed the additional positive effects of polarized DT-fuel on ion beam targets