Stochastic pulsation of laser-plasma interaction in the range of a few to dozens of picoseconds, due to standing wave produced density ripples, needs more attention than in the past, in view of the recent developments. This is important if nanosecond laser pulses produce a pre-compression that is a thousand times the solid state density of DT for fast ignition as well as for treatment of ps laser interaction. The following is an updated summary of these properties where the laser beam smoothing is essential. The use of smoothing is not only an empirical game with experiments for improving the interaction, but it is necessary to be aware of the mechanisms involved for understanding how the pulsation is overcome, and conclusions can be derived systematically for further improvements and control of the phenomena.

Studies of single-event laser-target interaction for fusion reaction schemes leading to volume ignition are discussed. Conditions were explored where single-event ns-laser pulses give rise to temperatures sufficient for volume ignition. Thus, ignition is possible, particularly if X-ray reabsorption is sufficiently high. Unfortunately, this scheme requires laser pulses with energies above 5 MJ and target densities of compressed DT above 1000 g/cm−3. Both requirements are quite demanding for near term systems. Nevertheless the present state technology and the detailed knowledge about volume ignition at direct drive are a basis. Systems as NIF or LMJ can well confirm these physics-clarified conditions and the technology for large laser systems with sufficient repetition rate and for a drastic reduction of the size and costs is necessary and possible and by physics similar to the known reductions in transistor development.