Computational and experimental studies on the implosion processes of laser fusion targets

This paper describes the study of implosion processes of glass microballoon targets irradiated directly and uniformly by the GEKKO XII glass laser system. In this direct driven mode using a high‐aspect‐ratio target, high neutron yields were achieved. Comparison between experiment and the computer simulation using one‐dimensional hydrodynamic codes shows good agreement. Progress of direct driven implosion shows the possibility of achieving breakeven by using the 100 kJ class laser of 0.35 μm wavelength.