Laser Fusion Experiments at 4 TW

DT-filled glass microspheres have been imploded at power levels exceeding 4 TW using the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory 1.06-{μ}m Argus laser. Thermonuclear neutron yields in excess of 1.5 ×{} 10⁹ have been observed implying a DT burn efficiency of 1.6 ×{} 10^-5. Neutron and α time-of-flight measurements indicate DT burn temperatures of 4-8 keV, implying that a DT gain of approximately 10^-2 and a nτ of 10¹² were obtained.