The availability of radioactive ion beams represents a major advance in the capbaility to attack important problems of basic and applied nuclear physics. For the first time we are able to study nuclear reactions on nuclides outside the valley of stability. These nuclides represent about 80% of particle-stable isotopes. Questions of nuclear reaction mechanisms, nuclear properties of bound and continuum states, and basic symmetries for these unstable nuclides can therefore be answered by direct mesurement rather than by speculation. The applications of radioactive ion beams are widespread and extensive. In astrophysical studies, nuclear reactions of radioactive ion beams are essential to understanding a wide range of problems in energy generation, nucleosynthesis, neutrino effects, and the implications of gamma-ray astrophysical measurements. In material studies, the implantation of radioactive ions has already seen important use. Well defined beams of these ions will greatly increase the specifity and sensititivity of this technology. Radioactive ion beams may also have significant applications in medical diagnostics and therapy. Finally, standard sources of beta and gamma radiation can be prepared with much greater precision than formerly available.

In this paper we discuss efforts underway at LLNL to develop the technology for the measurement of proton and alpha-particle reactions with unstable nuclei which are necessary for understanding the nucleosynthesis and energy generation in hot hydrogen-burning environments. 16 refs., 5 figs.

Nuclear Fusion by Inertial Confinement provides a comprehensive analysis of directly driven inertial confinement fusion. All important aspects of the process are covered, including scientific considerations that support the concept, lasers and particle beams as drivers, target fabrication, analytical and numerical calculations, and materials and engineering considerations. Authors from Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Spain, and the U.S. have contributed to the volume, making it an internationally significant work for all scientists working in the Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) field, as well as for graduate students in engineering and physics with interest in ICF.