THE PAMS GDP PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF ICF TARGET MANDRELS/

An improved process for production of ICF Target Mandrels has been dev eloped. Shells made from PAMS (poly-alpha-methylstyrene) are coated wi th GDP (glow discharge polymer). The PAMS is then removed by depolymer ization and volatilization at 300 degrees C, leaving a GDP mandrel. Co mpared to past polymer mandrels, this process yields GDP mandrels with significant improvements in wall thickness control, sphericity and co ncentricity, and the complete absence of vacuoles. The process is capa ble of making GDP shells with a wide size range (from 300 < o.d. < 270 0 mu m), and an independently controlled wall thickness (from 1 to 30 mu m). The GDP can be doped with a variety of elements.