# TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY x-ray compensation in hohlraums with spherical shine shields

Canonical: https://abierto.us/opportunities/2025171

- Solicitation number: 2025-171
- Notice type: Special notice
- Status: Closed. Deadline was March 1, 2026 at 8:00 PM EST
- Department: Department of Energy
- Contracting office: LLNS – DOE Contractor (899011)
- Place of performance: Livermore, California
- County: Alameda County (FIPS 06001). https://abierto.us/counties/alameda-county-ca-06001
- City: Livermore. https://abierto.us/cities/livermore-ca-0641992
- First posted: January 30, 2026
- Last posted: January 30, 2026
- SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/26bad339626b418ba74b29250f99d232/view

## Description

**Opportunity:** Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to further develop and commercialize its x-ray compensation in hohlraums with spherical shine shields.

**Background:** For ICF implosions that are x-ray driven, the hohlraum that drives the implosions develop a pole-hot x-ray field late in time due to plasma ingress. There are a number of approaches to mitigating this late-time drive (e.g., changing laser cone-fraction in time, altering cross-beam-energy transfer, altering hohlraum-capsule geometry) but these tactics have been pushed to their limits. In order to maintain control of ICF target implosion symmetry, which will enable higher fusion yields, a new solution is needed in target design.

**Description:** This LLNL invention details a unique approach that involves the incorporation of a new geometry of spherical shine shields, which occupy a small volume above the north and south pole of the capsule early in time during the ICF implosion. Upon exposure to late-time hohlraum x-rays, they explode into a cloud of high atomic number (Z) material (e.g. gold or depleted uranium). This cloud of high-Z plasma will hinder the effects of the pole-hot drive, thus improved implosion symmetry is obtained.

**Advantages/Benefits:** Simple modification to the hohlraum/target geometry that does not require pulse shape modifications A 70% increase in yield when spherical shine shields are utilized compared to current best in class solution that is reaching its maximum achievable yield potential Potential Applications: Novel high yielding target concepts for Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE)

**Development Status:** Current stage of technology development: TRL ? 0-2 ? 3-5 ? 5-9 LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention. LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.

**Note:** THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's x-ray compensation in hohlraums with spherical shine shields should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following:

Company Name and address. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact. A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology. Please provide a complete electronic OR written statement to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's x-ray compensation in hohlraums with spherical shine shields. The subject heading in an email response should include the Notice ID and/or the title of LLNL’s Technology/Business Opportunity and directed to the Primary and Secondary Point of Contacts listed below. Written responses should be directed to:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Innovation and Partnerships Office P.O.

**Box 808, L-779 Livermore, CA 94551-0808 Attention:** 2025-171

## Publications

- January 30, 2026: Special notice, due March 1, 2026 at 8:00 PM EST. Notice 26bad339626b418ba74b29250f99d232. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/26bad339626b418ba74b29250f99d232/view

## Points of contact

- Alex Hess, hess12@llnl.gov, 9254231283
- Charlotte Eng, eng23@llnl.gov, 9254221905

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Source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities bulk extract. Confirm deadlines on SAM.gov before responding. Cite https://abierto.us/opportunities/2025171.