A diode pumped solid state laser driver for inertial fusion energy

A comprehensive conceptual design for a diode pumped solid state laser (DPSSL) as a driver for an inertial fusion energy (IFE) power plant is presented. The design was selected by using a systems analysis code that optimizes a DPSSL configuration by minimizing the calculated cost of electricity (COE). The authors describe the physics incorporated in the code, predict DPSSL performance and its variations with changes in the major parameters, discuss IFE economics and technical risk, and identify the high leverage development efforts that can make DPSSL driven IFE plants more economically competitive. It is believed that this study is a significant advance over previous conceptual studies of DPSSLs for IFE because it incorporates a new cost effective gain medium, applies a potential solution to the 'final optics' problem, and considers the laster physics in substantially greater detail. The result is the introduction of an option for an IFE driver that has relatively low development costs and that builds upon the mature laser technology base already developed for Nova and being developed for the proposed National Ignition Facility. The baseline design of the paper has a product of laser efficiency and target gain of ηG ∼ 6.6 and a COE of 8.6 cents/kW·h for a 1 GW(e) plant with a target gain of 76 at 3.7 MJ. Higher ηG(>or approx. 11) and lower COEs (<or approx. 6.6 cents/kW·h) can be achieved with target gains twice as high. 103 refs, 16 figs, 5 tabs