TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY X-RAY COMPENSATION IN HOHLRAUMS WITH SPHERICAL SHINE SHIELDS

Opportunity:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to further develop and commercialize its x-ray compensation in hohlraums with spherical shine shields.

Background:

For ICF implosions that are x-ray driven, the hohlraum that drives the implosions develop a pole-hot x-ray field late in time due to plasma ingress.   There are a number of approaches to mitigating this late-time drive (e.g., changing laser cone-fraction in time, altering cross-beam-energy transfer, altering hohlraum-capsule geometry) but these tactics have been pushed to their limits.  In order to maintain control of ICF target implosion symmetry, which will enable higher fusion yields, a new solution is needed in target design.

Description:

This LLNL invention details a unique approach that involves the incorporation of a new geometry of spherical shine shields, which occupy a small volume above the north and south pole of the capsule early in time during the ICF implosion.  Upon exposure to late-time hohlraum x-rays, they explode into a cloud of high atomic number (Z) material (e.g. gold or depleted uranium). This cloud of high-Z plasma will hinder the effects of the pole-hot drive, thus improved implosion symmetry is obtained.

Advantages/Benefits: 

• Simple modification to the hohlraum/target geometry that does not require pulse shape modifications
• A 70% increase in yield when spherical shine shields are utilized compared to current best in class solution that is reaching its maximum achievable yield potential

Potential Applications: 

Novel high yielding target concepts for Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE)

Development Status: 

Current stage of technology development: TRL ☒ 0-2     ☐ 3-5     ☐ 5-9

LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention.

LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. 

Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.

Note:  THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT.  Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's x-ray compensation in hohlraums with spherical shine shields should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following:

1. Company Name and address.
2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact.
3. A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology.

Please provide a complete electronic OR written statement to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's x-ray compensation in hohlraums with spherical shine shields.

The subject heading in an email response should include the Notice ID and/or the title of LLNL’s Technology/Business Opportunity and directed to the Primary and Secondary Point of Contacts listed below.

Written responses should be directed to:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Innovation and Partnerships Office

P.O. Box 808, L-779

Livermore, CA  94551-0808

Attention: 2025-171