X-1: the challenge of high fusion yield

In the past three years, tremendous strides have been made in X-ray production using high-current Z-pinches. Today, the X-ray energy and power output of the Z accelerator (formerly PBFA II) is the largest available in the laboratory. These Z-pinch X-ray sources have great potential to drive high-yield inertial confinement fusion (ICF) reactions at affordable cost if several challenging technical problems can be overcome. Technical challenges in three key areas are discussed in this paper: the design of a target for high yield, the development of a suitable pulsed power driver, and the design of a target chamber capable of containing the high fusion yield.