TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY x-ray compensation in hohlraums with spherical shine shields

Summary

Opportunity : Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to further develop and commercialize its x-ray compensation in hohlraums with spherical shine shields.

Background

For ICF implosions that are x-ray driven, the hohlraum that drives the implosions develop a pole-hot x-ray field late in time due to plasma ingress. There are a number of approaches to mitigating this late-time drive (e.g., changing laser cone-fraction in time, altering cross-beam-energy transfer, altering hohlraum-capsule geometry) but these tactics have been pushed to their limits. In order to maintain control of ICF target implosion symmetry, which will enable higher fusion yields, a new solution is needed in target design. Description : This LLNL invention details a unique approach that involves the incorporation of a new geometry of spherical shine shields, which occupy a small volume above the north and south pole of the capsule early in time during the ICF implosion. Upon exposure to late-time hohlraum x-rays, they explode into a cloud of high atomic number (Z) material (e.g. gold or depleted uranium). This cloud of high-Z plasma will hinder the effects of the pole-hot drive, thus improved implosion symmetry is obtained. Advantages/Benefits : - Simple modification to the hohlraum/target geometry that does not require pulse shape modifications - A 70% increase in yield when spherical shine shields are utilized compared to current best in class solution that is reaching its maximum achievable yield potential

Potential Applications

Novel high yielding target concepts for Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE)

Development Status

Current stage of technology development: TRL 0-2 3-5 5-9 LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention. LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT . Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's x-ray compensation in hohlraums with spherical shine shields should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following: - Company Name and address. - The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact. - A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology. Please provide a complete electronic OR written statement to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's x-ray compensation in hohlraums with spherical shine shields. The subject heading in an email response should include the Notice ID and/or the title of LLNL's Technology/Business Opportunity and directed to the Primary and Secondary Point of Contacts listed below. Written responses should be directed to:

Innovation and Partnerships Office

P.O. Box 808, L-779 Livermore, CA 94551-0808 Attention: 2025-171