NIF Polar-Drive High DT-Yield Exploder-Pusher Designs Modeled Using Pump-Depletion in DRACO

ORAL

Abstract

Exploding-pushers (XP) using a 1.1-MJ pulse produced the highest polar-direct-drive (PDD) DT-yield (1.1 \texttimes 10$^{\mathrm{16}})$ on the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The NIF-PDD XP targets provide a high-yield neutron source and a platform to develop predictive inertial confinement fusion modeling. The XP designs revealed the necessity to enhance the cross{\-}beam energy transfer (CBET) algorithm to implement a scalable pump-depletion model in the 2-D code \textit{DRACO} that physically limits growth, naturally controlling CBET gain that would otherwise permit unbounded gain of the Randall formulation. The pump-depletion model accurately reproduces NIF-PDD XP implosions and serves as a design tool for enhanced performance XP designs predicted to yield \textgreater 3 \texttimes 10$^{\mathrm{16}}$ neutrons using NIF's current optics. Designs using enhanced NIF optics are predicted to produce DT-yields \textgreater 100~kJ. The CBET pump-depletion model will be described and the XP design simulations discussed. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0003856.

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Authors

  • John Marozas

    Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, LLE, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester - LLE, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics

  • Patrick McKenty

    Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, U. of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics, LLE, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester - LLE

  • Tim Collins

    LLE, University of Rochester, University of Rochester - LLE, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics

  • M.J. Rosenberg

    U. of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics, LLE, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Radha Bahukutumbi

    LLE, University of Rochester, University of Rochester - LLE, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Laboratory for laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics

  • Sean Regan

    LLE, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester - LLE, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics

  • Michael Campbell

    Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, LLE, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester - LLE, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics

  • B. E. Blue

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, LLNL, Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • Laurent Divol

    LLNL, Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • W. Hsing

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, LLNL, Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • Gregory Kemp

    LLNL, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • C. B. Yeamans

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, LLNL

  • Heather Whitley

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, LLNL, Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab