[en] The variety in the design of laser targets experimented at CEA requires versatile and adaptable target assembly stations. Even if assembly technician know-how remains essential and indispensable, automation appears to be a valuable solution to improve productivity and target quality [Carlson et al., Fusion Sci. Technol. Vol. 70, p. 274 (2016); Lee et al., Fusion Sci. Technol., Vol. 59, p. 227 (2011); and Schmidt, Fusion Sci. Technol., Vol. 55, p. 290 (2009)]. Given the variety of target designs, automation is investigated essentially as an operator support on some specific and repetitive tasks. The gluing of the laser entrance hole membrane on gas targets is a typical example. CEA has developed an automated station dedicated to this specific operation. The main objectives are to increase productivity and reduce sensibility to operator know-how. A concept prototype (for a single holhraum) has been designed and successfully tested and the implementation of multiple devices on the station is about to begin. This paper gives a complete presentation of the station and of the developments achieved. (authors)

[en] The cryogenic target assemblies (CTAs) designed for Laser Megajoule (LMJ) experiments have many functions and have to meet severe specifications imposed by implosion physics, the CTA thermal environment, and the CTA interfaces with the Megajoule laser cryogenic target positioner. Therefore, CTA fabrication uses many challenging materials and requires several technological studies. During the last 2 years, many developments have enabled better collection of comprehensive data on target constitutive materials and improvements in the fabrication of the CTA base, hohlraum, and aluminum turret. Studies have been carried out (a) to better characterize thermal properties of materials allowing optimization of the thermal simulation of the hohlraum, (b) to improve the CTA base fabrication process in order optimize thermal studies of the LMJ experimental filling station (EFS), and (c) to determine coatings on the polyimide membrane that may limit the 300 K thermal effect on the micro-shell and increase the deuterium-tritium fuel lifetime. CTAs have been produced to evaluate fabrication knowledge, to characterize CTAs, to study air tightness, and to study filling and D₂ ice layering on the EFS. An overview of the results that have been obtained during the past 2 years is presented in this paper. (authors)