The science applications of the high-energy density plasmas created on the Nova laser

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.871683· OSTI ID:280170

Rosen, M D ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550 (United States)

Since the late 1970s it has been realized that the laser-heated hohlraums envisioned for indirect drive Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) could also serve as {open_quote}{open_quote}physics factories{close_quote}{close_quote} by providing a high-energy density environment for the study of a wide variety of physics with important applications. In this review we will describe some of these studies, accomplished in the early 1990s using the Nova laser [J. T. Hunt and D. R. Speck, Opt. Eng. {bold 28}, 461 (1989)] at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. They include measuring the opacity of Fe, thus confirming that the OPAL low {ital Z} opacity code [C. A. Iglesias and F. J. Rogers, Astrophys. J. {bold 443}, 460 (1995)] is quantitatively more accurate than {open_quote}{open_quote}standard{close_quote}{close_quote} models, with important astrophysical implications such as modeling the Cepheid variables [F. J. Rogers and C. A. Iglesias, Science {bold 263}, 50 (1994)]; measuring the Rosseland mean opacity of Au, confirming the correctness of the {open_quote}{open_quote}Super Transition Array{close_quote}{close_quote} (STA) high-{ital Z} code [Bar Shalom {ital et} {ital al}., Phys. Rev. A {bold 40}, 3183 (1989)] with important implications for ignition targets designed for the National Ignition Facility (NIF); sophisticated Rayleigh{endash}Taylor and other hydrodynamic turbulence experiments and analysis that serve as a test bed for understanding astrophysical observations such as supernova explosions; using laboratory x-ray lasers for probing high-density ICF plasmas as well as biology; and creating near Gbar pressures [Cauble {ital et} {ital al}. Phys. Rev. Lett. {bold 70}, 2102 (1993)]. Expanded opportunities for such research on the NIF will also be described. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 280170
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 3; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
ENERGY DENSITY
GOLD
ICF DEVICES
IRON
LASER FUSION REACTORS
LASER RADIATION
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
NOVA FACILITY
OPACITY