Fusion product momentum deposition in laser imploded targets

A calculation method for fusion product momentum deposition in dense plasma spheres has been developed and applied to laser imploded DT targets. The net radial momentum deposition from a particles accelerates the expansion of the plasma sphere and thus reduces the rate of thermonuclear reactions. However, this effect is not so significant as previously expected because the rate of momentum deposition by the a particles is much less than the local pressure gradient around the burn front. The momentum deposition from neutrons is negligibly small because of its long mean free path. (author)