SCALING LAWS FOR THE IGNITION OF DEUTERIUM-TRITIUM SHELL TARGETS

The ignition conditions of imploding shell targets are studied by mean s of an analytical model for the stagnation phase. The shell is consid ered to stagnate isentropically, except in the central region of the f uel, where the energy balance is dominated by thermal conduction and r adiation losses, and the heating is dominated by compressional work an d alpha-particle deposition of energy. Scaling laws for the maximum te mperature of the hot spot and for the ignition conditions are found in terms of the shell implosion velocity upsilon(0). The scaling E(B)(ig n) proportional to upsilon(0)(-5) for the minimum driver energy requir ed for ignition is found in the velocity range of interest.