Evaluation of the Effects of Laser Beam Zooming In OMEGA Next, Wetted-foam Target Designs

Indirect-drive–ignition experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) are laying the groundwork for the revitalization of interest in inertial fusion energy (IFE) concepts for the implementation of laser-fusion platforms for commercial power production. Recent results on the NIF have produced 1.3 MJ of fusion output that has the community poised to reach the decades-long goal of achieving ignition in the laboratory. As part of an overall laser-direct-Drive IFE platform, the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics has begun investigating advanced, broadband laser designs,[1] target fabrication, and ignition target designs. In the area of target design, several different ablator materials are being investigated to optimize the laser drive. We will detail our efforts using wetted-foam ablators to produce ignition designs. In addition to 1-D LILAC scoping studies, results from 2-D DRACO simulations will ascertain the effects of nonuniformities due to finite beams geometries and various levels of laser-beam zooming afforded by the advanced laser system designs currently under study. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0003856.

[1] E. M. Campbell et al., Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A 379, 2020011 (2020).