Studying Biermann-Generated Magnetic Fields in a Cylindrically Convergent System.

Theoretical work suggests that magnetic fields may be self-generated in inertial confinement fusion implosions, however diagnosing such systems remains a challenge. In contrast, cylindrical implosions retain the effects of convergence while allowing direct diagnostic access to the interior of the target by viewing down the axis of the system. Los Alamos National Laboratory has a long history of success studying hydrodynamic instability [Rayleigh-Taylor (RT), Richtmyer-Meshkov (RM), and Bell-Plesset (BP) effect] growth in convergent systems using such platforms. These instabilities can generate magnetic fields via the Biermann Battery mechanism, and when paired with the flux compression of a convergent system can amplify these magnetic fields. Yet LANL's cylindrical implosion platform has not been designed for accessing physical regimes where Biermann battery can operate effectively, and magnetic resistivity does not diffuse the fields faster than the dynamically relevant time scales. The regime where resistive diffusion is no longer dynamically import can lead to changes in RT and RM instability growth. Using the existing cylindrical implosion platform as a starting point for examining magnetic fields generated by the Biermann Battery mechanism, we present 2D FLASH simulations that indicate the viability of using this platform to study Biermann generated fields in a convergent geometry. This work will supply the foundations for future experimental campaigns to assess the code's ability to accurately predict such field generation.