The symmetry of heavy ion driven inertial confinement fusion targets is investigated with a two-dimensional Eulerian hydrodynamic code. The importance of the beam geometry is studied. The HIBALL design in its present form seems to inhibit a spherical implosion of the target. It is shown that the beam angle in the HIBALL geometry should be about 35 degrees.

A photolithographic process to fabricate the transition metal targets used in X-ray laser experiments is described.

The one-dimensional Lagrangian code MEDUSA has been adapted to model the pressure of laser photons and the transfer of laser light momentum to underdense plasma investigated using the modified code. It is shown for lasers of wavelength ≃ 1μm that the plasma electron density needs to be close to the critical density (1021cm−3) and that the laser intensity needs to be greater than ∼1016Wcm−2 for significant laser momentum transfer to plasma. It was found that small plasmas (scale-length = 1 μm) result in the best ‘signature’ of laser light momentum transfer to plasma (more enhanced expansion velocities) but that the largest momentum transfer is for the largest plasmas considered (scale-length = 100 μm). The formation of suitable underdense plasmas for momentum transfer by a laser pre-pulse onto a foil target is investigated using a two-dimensional Eulerian code.

A theory based on the field and non-linearity expansions interms of Laguerre-Gauss functions is presented. The theoryi useful when very fast self focusing occurs, as in the case of relativistic self focusing. Results for self trapping with a saturable non-linearity are closer to the numerical results than those obtained by any other theory.

A hydrodynamic description is used to derive a nonlinear wave equation in the geometry of the capacitor model. For a streaming cold plasma the equation can be solved analytically. For the warm plasma case numerical results of high amplitude waves and wave breaking are presented. Flat minima and peaked maxima of the electron density and the oscillatory velocity are the most characteristic features of highly nonlinear electron waves. Their Bohm–Gross dispersion relation is modified by self-interaction of the fundamental mode.

This paper is a part of a series intended to develop a detailed understanding of the physics of hydrogen thyratrons. This theory is needed, because the improvement of electrical switches such as the thyratron are now necessary for the development of high power lasers and other devices. In this paper, a detailed analysis of many different electron, atomic and molecular collisional and radiative processes is made, in order to determine the electron temperature in a thyratron plasma. Calculations of the rates for production of Balmer lines are made and the results are summarized in a way that can be used for in situ measurements.

The production of atomic hydrogen and positive ions in a typical hydrogen thyratron plasma is considered through an analysis of radiative and collisional processes. The production of atomic hydrogen and positive ions in devices such as hydrogen thyratrons is an important and sensitive factor in determining the operational limitations.

The present state of understanding of a new maser effect is reviewed. The new maser effect, the idea that the resonant electrons in a turbulent plasma can radiate amplified electromagnetic radiation, does not require population inversion of electrons. The new maser effect always coexists with Landau (or cyclotron) damping; thus it is a fundamental effect in plasma turbulence. In nuclear fusion, magnetic confinement will be at a disadvantage due to the enhanced radiation losses in the long wave length region, while inertial confinement will be improved by the laser effect in the X-ray region