Theory of heating and compression of double-shell spherical targets exposed to a laser pulse

A theory is proposed for the acceleration, heating and compression of a double-shell target exposed to a laser pulse. It is shown that in the hydrodynamic regime the inner shell may be accelerated to velocities of ~200 km/sec, the energy density in the central stage may be increased whilst maintaining a high plasma density, and ultimately an inhomogeneous laser plasma configuration may be achieved, this being required for the evolution of a self-sustaining wave of fusion reactions. Depending on the aim of the experimental investigations (achieving a high plasma density or temperature), various systems for matching the parameters of a double-shell target with the characteristics of the laser pulse are proposed.