Free standing target transmission line for mass manufacturing of inertial fusion energy targets

The paper presents the results of mathematical and experimental modelling of the fabrication and injection processes of a free standing target (FST) transmission line intended for mass manufacturing of inertial fusion energy (IFE) targets. The technical approach developed at the Lebedev Physical Institute (LPI) is as follows: (1) the FST layering method for IFE targets rep-rate production, (2) quantum levitation of high-temperature superconductors (HTSC) for noncontact frictionless delivery of IFE targets, and (3) Fourier holography for on-line characterization and tracking of IFE targets. A unique feature of the FST layering method is advanced fuel layering in line-moving, high-gain direct-drive cryogenic targets, which allows one to economically fabricate large target quantities. Using just the moving targets includes each step of the fabrication and injection processes in the FST transmission line that is considered as a potential solution of the problem of mass target manufacturing. In the process of modelling, it has been considered "the targets, which are the shells of ~ 4 mm in diameter with a shell wall of different designs from compact and porous polymers. The layer thickness is ~ 200 μm for pure solid fuel and ~ 300 μm for in-porous solid fuel"10. The challenging scientific and technological issues associated with the task of repeatable IFE targets production are being addressed through a combination of expert analyses, mathematical and experimental modelling of the main processes of the FST formation cycle, including the following stages: fuel filling, fuel layering, noncontact target delivery with levitation; materials property measurements; testing and benchmarking the operational conditions of the key elements of the FST transmission line. And, finely, it is discussed the development strategy and future prospects of the FST transmission line creation for practical energy application of IFE. (author)