Low‐density resorcinol–formaldehyde aerogels for direct‐drive laser inertial confinement fusion targets

• Published in: Journal of vacuum science & technology. A, Vacuum, surfaces, and films Vol. 6; no. 4; pp. 2559 - 2563
• Main Authors: Hair, L. M., Pekala, R. W., Stone, R. E., Chen, C., Buckley, S. R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melville, NY American Institute of Physics 01-07-1988
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Physics; Physics of gases, plasmas and electric discharges; Physics of plasmas and electric discharges; Plasma production and heating; FOAMS; DESIGN; AEROSOLS; GELS; MICROSPHERES; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; STABILITY; INERTIAL CONFINEMENT; USES; DEUTERIUM; LASER TARGETS; CHEMISTRY; ABLATION; FABRICATION; TRITIUM; MATERIALS; FORMALDEHYDE; Colloidal gel; Plasma confinement; Inertial confinement; Aerogel; Experimental study; Formation; Formaldehyde; Organic compounds; Resorcinol
• ISSN: 0734-2101; 1520-8559
• DOI: 10.1116/1.575547

Resorcinol–formaldehyde (RF) aerogels satisfy inertial confinement fusion requirements for cell size and density. The cell size is <0.1 μm for densities ranging from 65 to 100 mg/cm3. Uniformity as measured by x‐ray radiography appears good, but careful machining of the RF piece is needed to prevent machine marks from interfering with interpretation. The RF aerogel is wettable with liquid hydrogen, and can be machined to 7‐μm surface finish. Stability of that surface over time needs to be improved. Radiation stability, methods of gluing and overcoating, and the thermal expansion coefficient still need to be determined.