Fast ignition by intense laser-accelerated proton beams

The concept of fast ignition with inertial confinement fusion (ICF) is a wa y to reduce the energy required for ignition and burn and to maximize the g ain produced by a single implosion. Based on recent experimental findings a t the PETAWATT laser at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, an intense proton beam to achieve fast ignition is proposed. It is produced by direct laser acceleration and focused onto the pellet from the rear side of an irr adiated target and can be integrated into a hohlraum for indirect drive ICF .