Direct Drive Double Shell Target Implosion Hydrodynamics on OMEGA
Abstract
Imploding direct-drive double shell targets may provide an alternative, non-cryogenic path to ignition on the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Experiments are being pursued at OMEGA to understand the hydrodynamics of these implosions and the possibility of scaling to NIF designs. We have used 40 beams from the OMEGA laser to directly drive the capsules, and we have used the remaining 20 beams to backlight the imploding shells from two different directions at multiple times. We will review the recent experiments to measure the zero-order hydrodynamics of the targets using two-view x-ray radiography of the capsules. We will present data on measured yields from the targets. We will present a measured time history of the hydrodynamics of the implosion, and we will discuss the effect of externally applied radiative preheat on the implosion hydrodynamics. We will review the radiography and the techniques used to extract useful information to compare with calculations. The effect of imperfections in the target construction will be shown to be minimal during the initial stage of the implosion. The yields from the targets were observed to be uniformly low compared to indirect-drive.
- Publication:
-
APS Division of Fluid Dynamics Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- November 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003APS..DFD.MC009K