2D and 3D modeling of bright X-ray sources on LMJ

Multi-keV bright X-ray sources are needed for applications like plasma diagnostics for inertial confinement fusion and for that purpose, X-ray sources are designed using gas-filled cans and metallic foils. These targets are illuminated by 12 quads of the LaserMegaJoule facility (LMJ). We focus on the simulations of xenon-filled cans and silver foils. The radiative-hydrodynamics simulations are carried out with the 2D code FCI2 [1] and the 3D code Troll [2]. The two codes use the same physics package to simulate radiation transfer, non-local-thermal-equilibrium atomic physics, thermal conduction and laser absorption. For several target configurations, the energy emitted in multi-keV X-rays is computed with FCI2 and Troll. The comparison of 2D and 3D results enables to quantify the effect of the asymmetric laser irradiation on the X-ray emission.

[1] E. Buresi et al., Laser Part. Beams 4, 531 (1986).

[2] E. Lefebvre et al, Nuclear Fusion, accepted for publication.