Analysis of Capsule Evolution in Strongly Coupled Plasma Experiments on the OMEGA-60 Laser

High-energy-density plasma studies are often oversimplified by idealized models assuming weak coupling and minimal Debye shielding. Many laboratory and astrophysical plasmas, like those in the envelopes of neutron stars (NS), are extremely dense and strong coupling effects cannot be neglected. Current models fall short of comprehensively describing these complex behaviors, particularly that of radiation transport in these regimes.

We are advancing existing models through experiments at LLE’s OMEGA-60 facility, where metal-lined capsules (Ni, Ti, Al) are imploded to replicate extreme conditions relevant to NS envelopes. These experiments explore a regime where the effects of strong coupling on the radiation transport cannot be neglected.

A key diagnostic is the X-ray framing camera, which captures images of the implosions at 50 ps intervals. With this data we have developed methods that track radial features, including shock front propagation. Measuring target shock velocities provides insight into the behaviors of matter under strong coupling and offers a window into both astrophysical phenomena and future HED-physics applications.

This work is supported by: NSF Grant #2427117; DOE NNSA SSAA Grants #DE-NA0004100 University of Rochester “National ICF Program” #DE-NA0004144. HJL’s work is supported by NSF MPS-Ascend Fellowship Grant #2138109. Experiment was conducted at Omega Laser Facility via DOE NNSA NLUF user program. Work performed under DOE NNSA by General Atomics #89233124CNA000365.