Validation of FLASH for modeling magnetically driven implosions

Multiphysics radiation hydrodynamics simulations are essential tools for designing high performance inertial confinement fusion targets. Pacific Fusion is actively developing FLASH for use as a target design code for ignition and high-gain pulsed magnetic fusion energy. To establish confidence in FLASH’s capabilities as a target design code we have been systematically validating FLASH against a suite of published data from pulsed magnetic fusion experiments at Sandia’s Z Facility. This suite includes focused physics experiments — including radiographic measurements of magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor growth and stagnation-time fusion fuel confinement — as well as fully integrated fusion platforms such as MagLIF. We demonstrate 1D and 2D FLASH simulations agree well with both experimental data and existing production design codes for pulsed magnetic fusion targets.