Experimental assessment of planar and rippled hohlraum window designs to optimize and control radiation transport

With inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments now regularly achieving ignition at the National Ignition Facility, a novel radiation source is now available for use in high-energy-density physics experiments. Utilizing this radiation source requires hohlraum windows that maintain drive symmetry during the ICF implosion and then quickly become as transparent as possible to enable allow radiation to escape the hohlraum. We present initial experimental results and supporting design calculations from a campaign conducted at the OMEGA laser facility to investigate radiation transport through various hohlraum window designs. This poster summarizes the results from the first experimental shot day, comparing burn-through characteristics of planar and 1D sinusoidal rippled hohlraum windows, systematically varying window layer thicknesses and sinusoidal parameters. The hohlraum drive and radiation burn-through are measured using the Dante diagnostic for each window design and compared to radiation-hydrodynamic simulations. Preliminary findings are discussed in the context of optimizing hohlraum window designs for controlled radiation transport. We also outline the planned approach for subsequent experimental campaigns to further refine window performance and diagnostic capabilities.