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

Abstract

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.

Authors:
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, 250 East River Road, Rochester, New York 14623-1299 (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
20736596
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Physics of Plasmas
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 12; Journal Issue: 5; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.1876252; (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
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

Citation Formats

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, and Seka, W. Polar direct drive: Proof-of-principle experiments on OMEGA and prospects for ignition on the National Ignition Facility. United States: N. p., 2005. Web. doi:10.1063/1.1876252.
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. Polar direct drive: Proof-of-principle experiments on OMEGA and prospects for ignition on the National Ignition Facility. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1876252
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, and Seka, W. 2005. "Polar direct drive: Proof-of-principle experiments on OMEGA and prospects for ignition on the National Ignition Facility". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1876252.
@article{osti_20736596,
title = {Polar direct drive: Proof-of-principle experiments on OMEGA and prospects for ignition on the National Ignition Facility},
author = {Craxton, R S and Marshall, F J and Bonino, M J and Epstein, R and McKenty, P W and Skupsky, S and Delettrez, J A and Igumenshchev, I V and Jacobs-Perkins, D W and Knauer, J P and Marozas, J A and Radha, P B and Seka, W},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {10.1063/1.1876252},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/20736596}, journal = {Physics of Plasmas},
issn = {1070-664X},
number = 5,
volume = 12,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2005},
month = {Sun May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2005}
}