Addressing the issues of target fabrication and injection for inertial fusion energy

Addressing the issues associated with target fabrication and injection is a major part of an international program to establish the feasibility of inertial fusion energy (IFE), both for laser-driven and heavy-ion driven concepts. A summary of the unique materials science and chemistry research programs associated with supplying targets for an IFE power plant is presented. The cost of manufacturing targets for commercial power applications is a significant perceived feasibility issue for IFE, and preliminary estimates of Target Fabrication Facility costs are discussed for both direct and indirect drive systems.