Megajoule-Class Single-Pulse KrF Laser Test Facility as a Logical Step Toward Inertial Fusion Commercialization

The cost and efficiency of megajoule-class KrF laser single pulse test facilities have been examined. A baseline design is described which illuminates targets with 5 MJ with shaped 10-ns pulses. The system uses 24 main amplifiers and operates with an optics operating fluence of 4.0 J/cm2. This system has 9.0% efficiency and costs $200/joule. Tradeoff studies indicate that large amplifier modules and high fluences lead to the lowest laser system costs, but that only a 20% cost savings can be realized by going to amplifier modules larger than 200 kJ and/or fluences greater than 4 J/cm2. The role of the megajoule-class single-pulse test facility towards inertial fusion commercialization will also be discussed.