Kinetic Energy Transfer Process in a Double Shell Leading to Robust Burn

ORAL

Abstract

A goal of double shell capsule implosions is to impart sufficient internal energy to the D-T fuel at stagnation in order to obtain robust $\alpha$-heating and burn with low hot spot convergence, C.R. $<$ 10. A simple description of the kinetic energy transfer from the outer shell to the inner shell is found using shock physics and adiabatic compression, and compares well with 1D modeling. An isobaric model for the stagnation phase of the inner shell is used to determine the ideal partition of internal energy in the D-T fuel. Robust burn of the fuel requires, at minimum, that $\alpha$-heating exceeds the rate of cooling by expansion of the hot spot so that the yield occurs before the hot spot disassembles, which is then used to define a minimum requirement for robust burn. One potential advantage of a double shell capsule compared to single shell capsules is the use of a heavy metal pusher, which may lead to a longer hot spot disassembly time. We present these analytic results and compare them to 1D and 2D radiation-hydrodynamic simulations.

Authors

  • D.S. Montgomery

    Los Alamos National Lab, LANL, Los Alamos Natl Lab, Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • William Daughton

    Los Alamos National Laboratory, LANL, Los Alamos Natl Lab

  • B.J. Albright

    Los Alamos Natl Lab, Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • Doug Wilson

    LANL, Los Alamos Natl Lab, Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • E.N. Loomis

    LANL, Los Alamos Natl Lab, Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • E.C. Merritt

    LANL, Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • Evan Dodd

    LANL, Los Alamos Natl Lab, Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • R.C. Kirkpatrick

    Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • R.G. Watt

    Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • M.D. Rosen

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory