Progress on Liquid Cryogenic Capsule Development for Fast Ignition with Z-Pinch-Driven Fuel Assembly

We are currently developing a pulsed-power-based approach to fast ignitor fuel assembly where intense thermal x-rays from a z-pinch implosion drive the compression of a hemispherical fuel capsule in a vacuum secondary hohlraum. This asymmetric drive configuration, with hemi-capsule motion constrained by a planar high density glide surface, opens up new design possibilities for indirect-drive cryogenic fuel capsules. As an alternative to foam-stabilized cryogenic solid fuel layers, we are investigating cryogenic fast ignition capsules with a liquid fuel layer confined between a thick outer ablator shell and a thin inner shell. Several approaches are being explored for fabrication of thin (3-5 $\mu$m) inner shells. Progress toward demonstration of a working capsule will be presented. Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the United States Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under Contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.