Study of symmetrising action of laser prepulse on inhomogeneity of thin foil heating

The results of theoretical and experimental studies of plasma heating by laser radiation having an inhomogeneous spatial structure are presented as well as the results of investigation of the symmetrising action of a laser prepulse on the inhomogeneity of heating of thin foils modelling thin-walled laser thermonuclear synthesis targets. The high efficiency of the method of ablation pressure symmetrisation by a laser prepulse is demonstrated.