Feasibility of constructing a laser thermonuclear fusion driver based on an oxygen–iodine chemical laser

A study is made of the feasibility of constructing a driver for laser thermonuclear fusion in which the second harmonic of an oxygen—iodine chemical laser is used to pump solid-state lasers (for example, Cr³⁺-activated crystals). In contrast to the existing systems, a separate master oscillator is proposed for each channel of the driver. The proposal has the advantages of relative technological simplicity, high degree of uniformity of target irradiation, and providing optimal profile of a heating pulse at 0.8, 0.4, and 0.27 μm.