Techniques for Enhancing Implosion Performance on High-Foot Ignition Capsules on NIF

POSTER

Abstract

Two options that have the potential to improve implosion performance in the High-Foot series of ignition capsules on NIF [1] will be presented. The first option explores changing the shape of the x-ray drive to include a 4$^{\mathrm{th}}$ and even a 5$^{\mathrm{th}}$ shock in the implosion. According to simulations, these extra shocks improve the configuration of the assembled fuel and lead to improved confinement and performance. A ``ramp compression'' between the foot of the drive and the main pulse is also investigated. The second option studies the effect of increasing the Si dopant in a thin-shell capsule. NIF shot N150211 produced relatively high fusion yield (7.6E15 neutrons) but may have suffered from shell burn through. Increasing the Si dopant may delay this burn through yet preserve high implosion velocity. [1] O. A. Hurricane, et al., Nature, 506, 343 (2014).

Authors

  • T. R. Dittrich

    Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • O. A. Hurricane

    Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • L. F. Berzak Hopkins

    Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab, llnl, LLNL

  • D. A. Callahan

    Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, LLNL

  • D. Clark

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (US), LLNL, Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • S. W. Haan

    Lawrence LIvermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab, LLNL

  • D. E. Hinkel

    LLNL, Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Lab

  • T. Ma

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • Abbas Nikroo

    Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • A. E. Pak

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, LLNL, Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • H. S. Park

    LLNL, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • J. Salmonson

    Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab, LLNL

  • C. R. Weber

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (US), LLNL