OVERVIEW: IFE is predicated on target designs that can achieve high gain (the ratio of energy out to energy in) robustly and repeatedly. Besides directly and indirectly driven central hot spot approaches, there are also alternate concepts with the potential to further increase performance by shaping the drive (shock ignition), separating compression and heating (fast ignition), or utilizing higher efficiency drivers (such as ion beams or pulsed power). Alternative fuels and other ideas such as cross-section modification also offer additional avenues for exploration.
