The recent fast heating of a compressed core to 0.8–1 keV temperature as well as the previous high-density compression of 600 times liquid density have provided proof-of-principle of the fast ignition (FI) concept. These results have significantly contributed to official approval of the first phase of the FI realization experiment (FIREX) project. The goal of FIREX-I is to demonstrate fast heating of a fusion fuel up to the ignition temperature of 5–10 keV. Although the fuel of FIREX-I is too small to be actually ignited, sufficient heating will provide the scientific viability of ignition and burn by increasing the laser energy, thereby increasing the fuel size. The FIREX programme is being carried out in collaboration with the Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University and the National Institute for Fusion Science, including the development of cryogenic targets, holistic simulation systems and diagnostic equipment.
Progress and perspectives of fast ignition