Hollow poly(alpha-methylstyrene) shells for inertial confinement fusion targets

Using a low-temperature cationic polymerization technique, a number of poly(alpha-methylstyrene) samples with molecular masses of 300000–400000 were prepared, and their structural parameters were examined via nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray diffraction techniques. It was found that all synthesized polymers display a stereoregular syndiotactic structure of macro chains and are amorphous. Using these polymers and the microencapsulation technique, hollow shells were obtained that were 2.4 mm in diameter and had a wall thickness of 10 to 60 µm. The quality of walls and surfaces of the shells was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and optical profilometry. The hollow shells are intended for the preparation of inertial confinement fusion targets and for the laser plasma research.