Modeling direct-drive OMEGA implosions with externally-imposed magnetic fields using the 2-D MHD code DEC2D

Externally applied B-fields boost the fusion yield and ion temperature in direct-drive ICF implosions¹, primarily by reducing thermal losses, and potentially by suppressing high-mode RTI and induced mix². However, a strong applied initial field affects the implosion shape, caused by anisotropy in the thermal transport between direction parallel and perpendicular to the field³. The latter may be mitigated by introducing an opposing drive asymmetry. This motivates the search for an optimum applied initial magnetic field in the case of direct-drive Omega implosions, in analogy with previous NIF studies⁴. Currently, only a few 2-DICF simulation codes have the capability to model the effects of magnetic fields on implosion dynamics. In this talk, we discuss the implementation of magnetohydrodynamic solvers into the 2-DICF code DEC2D⁵ to model implosions with externally imposed magnetic fields, allowing the scoping of the effect of magnetization on yield in a multidimensional implosion.