Sergei Kucheyev | 19-FS-062
Overview
Targets for magnetically-assisted ignition require specialized hohlraums made from an electrically non-conductive material. These special-material hohlraums allow external magnetic fields to uniformly soak through the hohlraum and into the capsule prior to the laser drive. Solid-state electronic transport properties were not of interest in previous hohlraum designs and were not, therefore, investigated. Addressing the need to develop an entirely new class of ceramic or intermetallic hohlraums, we demonstrated the feasibility of the deposition of thick (>30 microns) and electrically-resistive (>100 micro-Ohm cm) gold-tantalum-based coatings by magnetron sputtering.
Impact on Mission
This project leveraged Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's core competency in advanced materials and manufacturing to advance the Laboratory's expertise in the development of new materials for high-energy-density and inertial confinement fusion experiments (magnetically assisted ignition).
