Automated Line Development for Control and Selection of Shells for Laser Fusion Target

Abstract

Methods for control of the shell diameter, wall thickness and wall nonuniformity and also methods for selection of shells in fluid have been developed and investigated. The methods allow us to separate shells according to the diameter with 0.25 μ;m accuracy, to the wall nonuniformity with 5–7% accuracy, to make measurements of the diameter with 0.35 μ;m accuracy and wall thickness with 3–10%.These methods allowed us to develop the automated process cycle of control and selection of shells for laser fusion targets. A model automated line has been developed and joint operation of units has been investigated. The calculated automated line throughput during the shell analysis is 50–300 shells per hour, the control and selection accuracy for the diameter, thickness, and wall nonuniformity is 1%, 3–10% and 1–3%, respectively.Thus the foundations have been laid for an automated, high-quality target production technology for power stations based on laser fusion.