ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the production of inertial fusion energy (IFE). It focuses on laser-driven fusion with the direct implosion scheme for central ignition, fast ignition, and impact ignition together with the equation of state problem. Thermonuclear ignition has been a long-awaited goal in the research and development of IFE. The remarkable progress of implosion performance shows the validation of indirect-drive inertial fusion heading toward high-gain laser IFE for power plants. An IFE power plant must be safe and must have minimum impact on the environment. The unique feature of the IFE reaction chamber is the technical possibility of utilizing the wetted surface for the plasma-facing wall. Collaboration and cooperation with industry and magnetic fusion energy reactor development are essential and effective in processing with the IFE reactor. Mass production of fuel pellets at low cost is also an important issue for realistic IFE power plant development.
