In-flight observations of low-mode ρR asymmetries in NIF implosions
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (United States). Plasma Science and Fusion Center, High Energy Density Physics Div.
- Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts (United States)
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California (United States)
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico (United States)
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York (United States)
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory,Livermore, California (United States)
- General Atomics, San Diego, California (United States)
Charged-particle spectroscopy is used to assess implosion symmetry in ignition-scale indirect-drive implosions for the first time. Surrogate D3He gas-filled implosions at the National Ignition Facility produce energetic protons via D+3He fusion that are used to measure the implosion areal density (ρR) at the shock-bang time. By using protons produced several hundred ps before the main compression bang, the implosion is diagnosed in-flight at a convergence ratio of 3-5 just prior to peak velocity. This isolates acceleration-phase asymmetry growth. For many surrogate implosions, proton spectrometers placed at the north pole and equator reveal significant asymmetries with amplitudes routinely ≳10%, which are interpreted as l=2 Legendre modes. With significant expected growth by stagnation, it is likely that these asymmetries would degrade the final implosion performance. X-ray self-emission images at stagnation show asymmetries that are positively correlated with the observed in-flight asymmetries and comparable in magnitude, contradicting growth models; this suggests that the hot-spot shape does not reflect the stagnated shell shape or that significant residual kinetic energy exists at stagnation. More prolate implosions are observed when the laser drive is sustained (“no-coast”), implying a significant time-dependent asymmetry in peak drive.
- Research Organization:
- Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States). Plasma Science and Fusion Center, High Energy Density Physics Div.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- NA0001857
- OSTI ID:
- 1178796
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 22, Issue 5; Conference: Rochester, NY (United States), 22-24 Apr 2015; ISSN 1070-664X
- Publisher:
- American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Web of Science
Similar Records
The effect of shock dynamics on compressibility of ignition-scale National Ignition Facility implosions
The effect of shock dynamics on compressibility of ignition-scale National Ignition Facility implosions