Modeling direct-drive OMEGA implosions with externally-imposed magnetic fields

Externally-applied B fields boost the fusion yield and ion temperature in direct-drive ICF implosions¹. However, strong mangetization with a 50 T applied field affects the implosion shape due to a suppression of lateral thermal transport². Recent and future experiments on OMEGA seek to further understand the effect of magnetization on the electron and ion heat conduction and the implosion shape. However, few 3-D ICF simulation codes have the capability to model the effect of magnetic fields on implosion dynamics. In this talk, we discuss progress in implementing models into the 3-D ICF code ASTER³ to model implosions with externally-imposed magnetic fields, enabling direct comparison and validation of the MHD models with experimental measurements. Ongoing magnetized shock-driven implosion experiments on OMEGA will be modeled with ASTER.

¹P. Y. Chang et al. Phy. Rev. Lett. 2011

²A. Bose et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2022

³I. V. Igumenshchev et al. Phys. Plasmas 23 2016