This paper describes the design and fabrication of a range of ‘gas cell’ microtargets produced by the Target Fabrication
Group in the Central Laser Facility (CLF) for academic access experiments on the Orion laser facility at the Atomic
Weapons Establishment (AWE). The experiments were carried out by an academic consortium led by Imperial College
London. The underlying target methodology was an evolution of a range of targets used for experiments on radiative
shocks and involved the fabrication of a precision machined cell containing a number of apertures for interaction foils
or diagnostic windows. The interior of the cell was gas-filled before laser irradiation. This paper details the assembly
processes, thin film requirements and micro-machining processes needed to produce the targets. Also described is the
implementation of a gas-fill system to produce targets that are filled to a pressure of 0.1–1 bar. The paper discusses the
challenges that are posed by such a target.