A focusing system which utilizes twof/0.47 doublets in conjunction with ellipsoidal mirrors produces two focusing cones with half‐angles of 81.5°. This system has been used with the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory Janus 1.06‐&mgr;m laser to irradiate and implode DT‐filled glass microshells of ∼70 &mgr;m diameter. The purpose of the system was to provide more uniform heating of the pusher and more uniform compression of the DT fuel than had been obtained when irradiating targets usingf/1 lenses. Neutron yields of ∼107per event have been obtained at power levels of ∼0.4 TW. X‐ray micrographs show that improved uniformity of heating and implosion sphericity are achieved. Data are also presented which add further confirmation of the importance of absorption by plasma wave resonance for non‐normal incidence of the laser light on the target surface.