indirect drive

Indirect drive is a method used in nuclear fusion experiments where powerful lasers are directed onto a surrounding metal cylinder called a hohlraum. The lasers heat and create X-rays inside the hohlraum, which then evenly transfer energy to the fuel pellet at the center, causing it to compress and heat up. This approach allows for more uniform energy delivery, improving the chances of achieving the conditions necessary for nuclear fusion. Unlike direct drive, where lasers hit the fuel directly, indirect drive uses the hohlraum as an intermediary to evenly distribute energy.