Target Tracking and Engagement for Inertial Fusion Energy - A Tabletop Demonstration

Longitudinal Tracking of Direct Drive Inertial Fusion Targets

“…The intensity incident on the detector is I= I 1 + I 2 + 2 2 1 I I cos(2ft), where I 1 is reference leg intensity, and I 2 is moving leg intensity. The detector converts this into a voltage that is AC filtered to result in a signal amplitude (peak to peak) of 4 2 …”

Challenges Surrounding the Injection and Arrival of Targets at LIFE Fusion Chamber Center

“…A similar system is described in Ref. 6. It is expected that the target can be tracked to within about + 50 m with reference to the chamber center.…”

Improving the Accuracy of a Target Engagement Demonstration

“…By tracking the centroid of the Poisson spot with a highspeed digital camera, the position of the target can be calculated to a high degree of accuracy. 3 The transverse tracking method consists of a collimated, low-power HeNe laser that follows the target along its downward trajectory. A beam diameter of 1 cm ensures the target remains entirely within the beam throughout its flight.…”

“…3 First, a laser-based tracking system sights along the target's flight path and uses Poisson spot information to determine the target's transverse position. Second, a timing and triggering system, using discrete crossing sensors, provides the necessary timing to trigger a glint laser and other time-critical components.…”