Using X-ray Thomson Scattering to Characterize Highly Compressed, Near-Degenerate Plasmas at the NIF

ORAL

Abstract

We are developing x-ray Thomson scattering for implosion experiments at the National Ignition Facility to characterize plasma conditions in plastic and beryllium capsules near stagnation, reaching more than 20x compression and electron densities of 10$^{25}$ cm$^{-3}$, corresponding to a Fermi energy of 170 eV. Using a zinc He-$\alpha$ x-ray source at 9 keV, experiments at a large scattering angle of 120$^{\circ}$ measure non-collective scattering spectra with high sensitivity to K-shell ionization, and find higher charge states than predicted by widely used ionization models. Reducing the scattering angle to 30$^{\circ}$ probes the collective scattering regime with sensitivity to collisions and conductivity. We will discuss recent results and future plans.

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Authors

  • Tilo Doeppner

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

  • D. Kraus

    Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, HZDR Dresden

  • P. Neumayer

    GSI Darmstadt

  • Benjamin Bachmann

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • L. Divol

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • A.L. Kritcher

    Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Otto Landen

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • L. Fletcher

    SLAC - Natl Accelerator Lab, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

  • S.H. Glenzer

    SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, SLAC

  • R.W. Falcone

    University of California Berkeley, UC Berkeley

  • M.J. MacDonald

    University of California Berkeley, Univ Calif at Berkeley, UC Berkeley

  • A. Saunders

    University of California Berkeley, UC Berkeley

  • B. Witte

    University of Rostock

  • R. Redmer

    University of Rostock

  • D. Chapman

    University of Warwick

  • R. Baggott

    University of Warwick

  • D.O. Gericke

    University of Warwick

  • AS Yi

    Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Lab, LANL