The experience of target fabrication with low-density and cluster heterogeneity is presented. Cluster plasma research is strongly dependent on target fabrication development and target structure characterization. Ten more target parameters should be measured for experiment interpreting in case of micro-heterogeneous plasma. Foam and foil targets, high-Z doped also, are produced and irradiated on the existing laser facilities. The density of 4.5 mg/cc cellulose triacetate in the form of regular three-dimensional polymer networks are achieved which is as low as plasma critical density for the third harmonic of iodine laser light. The possibilities of varying important target parameters, methods of their monitoring are discussed. Experiments with underdense foam targets with or without clusters irradiated on Prague Asterix Laser System (PALS) laser facility are analyzed preliminary for target optimization. Under-critical foams of varying structure (closed-cell foam or three-dimensional networks) and densities are reported for plasma experiments. Thermal and radiation transport in such targets are considered.

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We present a summary of the techniques used to produce hollow plastic microshells from solid polymer granules using drop tower techniques. Unlike solution drop tower techniques, the use of these granules allows one to produce good quality shells with diameters of 1 to 1.5 mm. The reasons for hollow plastic shell diameter limitations are discussed, and based on these studies we present a new drop tower furnace concept we call a ballistic furnace that has been designed to produce large (2 to 3 mm) polystyrene shells. The characteristics of the individual components such as the pellet injector and the fast cooling system are given.

Popular target designs are reviewed. Possible methods of fusion target fabrication are discussed and the equipment and samples are demonstrated. The properties of the uniform and structured~cluster! materials are considered, showing the advantage of cluster material for energy conversion into soft X rays. The target materials with high content of hydrogen isotopes~BeD 2 , LiBeD 3 , or ND 3 BD 3 ! prove to be more effective for high-power drivers in comparison with beryllium or polyimide.