POLYIMIDE CAPSULES MAY HOLD HIGH-PRESSURE DT FUEL WITHOUT CRYOGENIC SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL IGNITION FACILITY INDIRECT-DRIVE TARGETS

New target designs for the Omega upgrade laser and ignition targets in the National Ignition Facility (NIF) require thick (80 - 100 mu m) cr yogenic fuel layers. The Omega upgrade target will require cryogenic h andling after initial fill because of the high fill pressures and the thin capsule walls. For the NIF indirectly driven targets, a larger ca psule size and new materials offer hope that they can be built, filled and stored in a manner similar to the targets used in the Nova facili ty without requiring cryogenic handling.