Laser-fusion target fabrication: application of a polymeric ablator coating to a ball-and-disk target design by the physical vapor deposition of polyethylene

A technique for applying polyethylene by physical vapor deposition is described. The ball-and-disk target design requires the application of a thin film of polyethylene on the front surface of the ball and substrate upon which the ball is mounted. Disk-shaped films, typically 20-$mu$m-diam by 1-$mu$m- thick, are successfully applied by this method. (auth)