Some aspects of the hydrodynamics of the microencapsulation route to NIF mandrels

Spherical plastic shells for use as mandrels for the fabrication of ICF (In ertial Confinement Fusion) target capsules can be produced by solution-base d microencapsulation techniques. The specifications for these mandrels in t erms of sphericity are extremely rigorous, and it is clear that various asp ects of the solution hydrodynamics associated with their production are imp ortant in controlling the quality of the final product. This paper explores what we know land need to know) about the hydrodynamics of the microencaps ulation process in order to lay the foundation for process improvements as well as identify inherent limits.