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Rayleigh-Taylor Growth Stabilization in Direct-Drive Plastic Targets at Laser Intensities of {approx}1x10{sup 15} W/cm{sup 2}

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
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  1. Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, 250 East River Road Rochester, New York 14623-1299 (United States)
Direct-drive, planar-target Rayleigh-Taylor growth experiments were performed for the first time to test fundamental physics in hydrocodes at peak drive intensities of ignition designs. The unstable modulation growth at a drive intensity of {approx}1x10{sup 15} W/cm{sup 2} was strongly stabilized compared to the growth at an intensity of {approx}5x10{sup 14} W/cm{sup 2}. The experiments demonstrate that standard simulations based on a local model of electron thermal transport break down at peak intensities of ignition designs (although they work well at lower intensities). The preheating effects by nonlocal electron transport and hot electrons were identified as some of the stabilizing mechanisms.
OSTI ID:
21134113
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 101; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English