Polar direct drive: Proof-of-principle experiments on OMEGA and prospects for ignition on the National Ignition Facility

Journal Article · Sun May 15 04:00:00 EDT 2005 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1876252· OSTI ID:20736596

Craxton, R S; Marshall, F J; Bonino, M J; Epstein, R; McKenty, P W; Skupsky, S; Delettrez, J A; Igumenshchev, I V; Jacobs-Perkins, D W; Knauer, J P; Marozas, J A; Radha, P B; Seka, W ^[1]

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1. Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, 250 East River Road, Rochester, New York 14623-1299 (United States)

Polar direct drive (PDD) [S. Skupsky et al., Phys. Plasmas 11 2763 (2004)] shows promise for achieving direct-drive ignition while the National Ignition Facility (NIF) [E. M. Campbell and W. J. Hogan, Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 41 B39 (1999)] is initially configured for indirect drive. Experiments have been carried out using 40 repointed beams of the 60-beam OMEGA laser system [T. R. Boehly et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 66 508 (1995)] to approximate the NIF PDD configuration. Backlit x-ray framing-camera images of D{sub 2}-filled spherical CH capsules show a characteristic nonuniformity pattern that is in close agreement with predictions. Saturn targets (similar capsules surrounded by a plastic ring) increase the drive on the equator, suggesting that highly symmetric PDD implosions may be possible with appropriate tuning. Two-dimensional (2D) simulations reproduced the approximately threefold reduction in yield found for the non-Saturn PDD capsules. Preliminary simulations for a NIF Saturn design predict a high gain close to the 1D prediction. These results increase the prospects of obtaining direct-drive ignition with the initial NIF configuration.

• OSTI ID: 20736596
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 12; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
DIRECT DRIVE LASER IMPLOSION
LASER FUSION REACTORS
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA SIMULATION
THERMONUCLEAR IGNITION
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
US NATIONAL IGNITION FACILITY