Spatially ResolvedαEmission from Laser Fusion Targets

The $\alpha$-particle emission from laser-compressed, D-T-filled microshells has been imaged using a zone-plate-coded imaging technique. Nominal image resolution was 10 μm. Approximately 97% of the recorded $\alpha$ emission was found to originate within a thermonuclear burn region of diameter roughly $\frac{1}{3}$ that of the original target. The full width at half-maximum of the burn region had a diameter roughly $\frac{1}{6}$ that of the target.