Overview of chamber and target technology R&D for heavy ion fusion

In 1999, the Department of Energyʹs (DOE) Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (OFES) added an inertial fusion energy (IFE) element to its Virtual Laboratory for Technology (VLT). The scope of the IFE element of the VLT includes the fusion chamber, chamber/driver interface, target fabrication and injection, and safety and environmental assessments for IFE. Critical issues have been identified and an integrated R&D plan for the next 4–5 years has been written to coordinate the research in these areas. This paper provides an overview of the US research activities addressing the critical issues.