Showing papers by "Siegfried Glenzer published in 2011"

Point design targets, specifications, and requirements for the 2010 ignition campaign on the National Ignition Facility

Abstract: Point design targets have been specified for the initial ignition campaign on the National Ignition Facility [G. H. Miller, E. I. Moses, and C. R. Wuest, Opt. Eng. 443, 2841 (2004)]. The targets contain D-T fusion fuel in an ablator of either CH with Ge doping, or Be with Cu. These shells are imploded in a U or Au hohlraum with a peak radiation temperature set between 270 and 300 eV. Considerations determining the point design include laser-plasma interactions, hydrodynamic instabilities, laser operations, and target fabrication. Simulations were used to evaluate choices, and to define requirements and specifications. Simulation techniques and their experimental validation are summarized. Simulations were used to estimate the sensitivity of target performance to uncertainties and variations in experimental conditions. A formalism is described that evaluates margin for ignition, summarized in a parameter the Ignition Threshold Factor (ITF). Uncertainty and shot-to-shot variability in ITF are evaluated, and...

Demonstration of a narrow energy spread, ∼0.5 GeV electron beam from a two-stage laser wakefield accelerator.

Abstract: Laser wakefield acceleration of electrons holds great promise for producing ultracompact stages of GeV scale, high-quality electron beams for applications such as x-ray free electron lasers and high-energy colliders. Ultrahigh intensity laser pulses can be self-guided by relativistic plasma waves (the wake) over tens of vacuum diffraction lengths, to give $g1\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$ energy in centimeter-scale low density plasmas using ionization-induced injection to inject charge into the wake even at low densities. By restricting electron injection to a distinct short region, the injector stage, energetic electron beams (of the order of 100 MeV) with a relatively large energy spread are generated. Some of these electrons are then further accelerated by a second, longer accelerator stage, which increases their energy to $\ensuremath{\sim}0.5\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$ while reducing the relative energy spread to $l5%$ FWHM.

The experimental plan for cryogenic layered target implosions on the National Ignition Facility--The inertial confinement approach to fusion

Abstract: Ignition requires precisely controlled, high convergence implosions to assemble a dense shell of deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel with ρR>∼1 g/cm2 surrounding a 10 keV hot spot with ρR ∼ 0.3 g/cm2. A working definition of ignition has been a yield of ∼1 MJ. At this yield the α-particle energy deposited in the fuel would have been ∼200 kJ, which is already ∼10 × more than the kinetic energy of a typical implosion. The National Ignition Campaign includes low yield implosions with dudded fuel layers to study and optimize the hydrodynamic assembly of the fuel in a diagnostics rich environment. The fuel is a mixture of tritium-hydrogen-deuterium (THD) with a density equivalent to DT. The fraction of D can be adjusted to control the neutron yield. Yields of ∼1014−15 14 MeV (primary) neutrons are adequate to diagnose the hot spot as well as the dense fuel properties via down scattering of the primary neutrons. X-ray imaging diagnostics can function in this low yield environment providing additional information about the assembled fuel either by imaging the photons emitted by the hot central plasma, or by active probing of the dense shell by a separate high energy short pulse flash. The planned use of these targets and diagnostics to assess and optimize the assembly of the fuel and how this relates to the predicted performance of DT targets is described. It is found that a good predictor of DT target performance is the THD measurable parameter, Experimental Ignition Threshold Factor, ITFX ∼ Y × dsf 2.3, where Y is the measured neutron yield between 13 and 15 MeV, and dsf is the down scattered neutron fraction defined as the ratio of neutrons between 10 and 12 MeV and those between 13 and 15 MeV.

Capsule implosion optimization during the indirect-drive National Ignition Campaign

Abstract: Capsule performance optimization campaigns will be conducted at the National Ignition Facility [G. H. Miller, E. I. Moses, and C. R. Wuest, Nucl. Fusion 44, 228 (2004)] to substantially increase the probability of ignition. The campaigns will experimentally correct for residual uncertainties in the implosion and hohlraum physics used in our radiation-hydrodynamic computational models using a variety of ignition capsule surrogates before proceeding to cryogenic-layered implosions and ignition experiments. The quantitative goals and technique options and down selections for the tuning campaigns are first explained. The computationally derived sensitivities to key laser and target parameters are compared to simple analytic models to gain further insight into the physics of the tuning techniques. The results of the validation of the tuning techniques at the OMEGA facility [J. M. Soures et al., Phys. Plasmas 3, 2108 (1996)] under scaled hohlraum and capsule conditions relevant to the ignition design are shown ...

Demonstration of ignition radiation temperatures in indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion hohlraums.

Abstract: We demonstrate the hohlraum radiation temperature and symmetry required for ignition-scale inertial confinement fusion capsule implosions. Cryogenic gas-filled hohlraums with 2.2 mm-diameter capsules are heated with unprecedented laser energies of 1.2 MJ delivered by 192 ultraviolet laser beams on the National Ignition Facility. Laser backscatter measurements show that these hohlraums absorb 87% to 91% of the incident laser power resulting in peak radiation temperatures of T(RAD)=300 eV and a symmetric implosion to a 100 μm diameter hot core.

Characterizing counter-streaming interpenetrating plasmas relevant to astrophysical collisionless shocks

Abstract: A series of Omega experiments have produced and characterized high velocity counter-streaming plasma flows relevant for the creation of collisionless shocks. Single and double CH2 foils have been irradiated with a laser intensity of ∼ 1016 W/cm2. The laser ablated plasma was characterized 4 mm from the foil surface using Thomson scattering. A peak plasma flow velocity of 2000 km/s, an electron temperature of ∼ 110 eV, an ion temperature of ∼ 30 eV, and a density of ∼ 1018 cm−3 were measured in the single foil configuration. Significant increases in electron and ion temperatures were seen in the double foil geometry. The measured single foil plasma conditions were used to calculate the ion skin depth, c/ωpi∼0.16 mm, the interaction length, lint, of ∼ 8 mm, and the Coulomb mean free path, λmfp∼27mm. With c/ωpi≪lint≪λmfp, we are in a regime where collisionless shock formation is possible.

In-flight measurements of capsule shell adiabats in laser-driven implosions.

Abstract: We present the first x-ray Thomson scattering measurements of temperature and density from spherically imploding matter. The shape of the Compton downscattered spectrum provides a first-principles measurement of the electron velocity distribution function, dependent on ${T}_{e}$ and the Fermi temperature ${T}_{F}\ensuremath{\sim}{n}_{e}^{2/3}$. In-flight compressions of Be and CH targets reach 6\char21{}13 times solid density, with ${T}_{e}/{T}_{F}\ensuremath{\sim}0.4\char21{}0.7$ and ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{ii}\ensuremath{\sim}5$, resulting in minimum adiabats of $\ensuremath{\sim}1.6\char21{}2$. These measurements are consistent with low-entropy implosions and predictions by radiation-hydrodynamic modeling.

Progress towards ignition on the National Ignition Facility

Abstract: The National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory was formally dedicated in May 2009. The hohlraum energetics campaign with all 192 beams began shortly thereafter and ran until early December 2009. These experiments explored hohlraum-operating regimes in preparation for experiments with layered cryogenic targets. The hohlraum energetic series culminated with an experiment that irradiated an ignition scale hohlraum with 1 MJ. The results demonstrated the ability to produce a 285 eV radiation environment in an ignition scale hohlraum while meeting ignition requirements for symmetry, backscatter and hot electron production. Complementary scaling experiments indicate that with ~1.3 MJ, the capsule drive temperature will reach 300 eV, the point design temperature for the first ignition campaign. Preparation for cryo-layered implosions included installation of a variety of nuclear diagnostics, cryogenic layering target positioner, advanced optics and facility modifications needed for tritium operations and for routine operation at laser energy greater than 1.3 MJ. The first cyro-layered experiment was carried out on 29 September 2010. The main purpose of this shot was to demonstrate the ability to integrate all of the laser, target and diagnostic capability needed for a successful cryo-layered experiment. This paper discusses the ignition point design as well as findings and conclusions from the hohlraum energetics campaign carried out in 2009. It also provides a brief summary of the initial cryo-layered implosion.

Three-wavelength scheme to optimize hohlraum coupling on the National Ignition Facility.

Abstract: By using three tunable wavelengths on different cones of laser beams on the National Ignition Facility, numerical simulations show that the energy transfer between beams can be tuned to redistribute the energy within the cones of beams most prone to backscatter instabilities These radiative hydrodynamics and laser-plasma interaction simulations have been tested against large-scale hohlraum experiments with two tunable wavelengths and reproduce the hohlraum energetics and symmetry Using a third wavelength provides a greater level of control of the laser energy distribution and coupling in the hohlraum, and could significantly reduce stimulated Raman scattering losses and increase the hohlraum radiation drive while maintaining a good implosion symmetry

Observation of high soft x-ray drive in large-scale hohlraums at the National Ignition Facility.

Abstract: The first soft x-ray radiation flux measurements from hohlraums using both a 96 and a 192 beam configuration at the National Ignition Facility have shown high x-ray conversion efficiencies of {approx}85%-90%. These experiments employed gold vacuum hohlraums, 6.4 mm long and 3.55 mm in diameter, heated with laser energies between 150-635 kJ. The hohlraums reached radiation temperatures of up to 340 eV. These hohlraums for the first time reached coronal plasma conditions sufficient for two-electron processes and coronal heat conduction to be important for determining the radiation drive.

A diamond detector for X-ray bang-time measurement at the National Ignition Facility

Abstract: An instrument has been developed to measure X-ray bang-time for inertial confinement fusion capsules; the time interval between the start of the laser pulse and peak X-ray emission from the fuel core. The instrument comprises chemical vapor deposited polycrystalline diamond photoconductive X-ray detectors with highly ordered pyrolytic graphite X-ray monochromator crystals at the input. Capsule bang-time can be measured in the presence of relatively high thermal and hard X-ray background components due to the selective band pass of the crystals combined with direct and indirect X-ray shielding of the detector elements. A five channel system is being commissioned at the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for implosion optimization measurements as part of the National Ignition Campaign. Characteristics of the instrument have been measured demonstrating that X-ray bang-time can be measured with ±30 ps precision, characterizing the soft X-ray drive to +/- 1 eV or 1.5%.

Ultraviolet Thomson scattering measurements of the electron and ion features with an energetic 263 nm probe

Abstract: A new Thomson scattering diagnostic has been implemented on the Omega Laser facility at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester [J.M. Soures, et al., Laser and Particle Beams 11, 317 (1993)] to measure the electron feature in the ultraviolet wavelength range 200 nm - 263 nm. A pair of imaging spectrometers and streak cameras collect light scattered from electron plasma fluctuations and ion-acoustic fluctuations simultaneously. These spectra allow an accurate measure of the electron temperature, density, average charge state and plasma flow velocity in a high-density laser plasma regime perviously inaccessible.

Gigabar material properties experiments on nif and omega

Abstract: The unprecedented laser capabilities of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) make it possible for the first time to countenance laboratory-scale experiments in which gigabar pressures can be applied to a reasonable volume of material, and sustained long enough for percent level equation of state measurements to be made. We describe the design for planned experiments at the NIF, using a hohlraum drive to induce a spherically-converging shock in samples of different materials. Convergence effects increase the shock pressure to several gigabars over a radius of over 100 microns. The shock speed and compression will be measured radiographically over a range of pressures using an x-ray streak camera. In some cases, we will use doped layers to allow a radiographic measurement of particle velocity.

Stimulated forward Raman scattering in large scale-length laser-produced plasmas

Abstract: A forward stimulated Raman scattering (FSRS) diagnostic was developed for the 60 beam Omega laser facility to investigate the propagation of an intense ( ~ 8 × 1014 W/cm2), frequency doubled Nd:glass laser beam ( ≤ 360 J, 527 nm, 1 ns) through a mm-scale laser-produced plasma. Forward scattered light was measured with spectral, and temporal resolution using a streaked spectrometer and an absolutely calibrated photo-multiplier. We present a detailed description of the instrument, the calibration methods, as well as the first forward Raman scattering measurements from hot ( ~ 2 keV), dense (5.5 × 1020 cm−3) laser-produced plasmas. These results are of interest to laser-driven inertial fusion at the National Ignition Facility where larger plasma scales could potentially lead to higher FSRS gains. In addition, simultaneous measurements of stimulated forward and backward scattered light present an unambiguous method for determining plasma density and temperature.

In-situ determination of dispersion and resolving power in simultaneous multiple-angle XUV spectroscopy

Abstract: We report on the simultaneous determination of non-linear dispersion functions and resolving power of three flat-field XUV grating spectrometers. A moderate-intense short-pulse infrared laser is focused onto technical aluminum which is commonly present as part of the experimental setup. In the XUV wavelength range of 10?19 nm, the spectrometers are calibrated using Al-Mg plasma emission lines. This cross-calibration is performed in-situ in the very same setup as the actual main experiment. The results are in excellent agreement with ray-tracing simulations. We show that our method allows for precise relative and absolute calibration of three different XUV spectrometers.

Performance metrics for Inertial Confinement Fusion implosions: aspects of the technical framework for measuring progress in the National Ignition Campaign

Abstract: The National Ignition Campaign (NIC) uses non-igniting 'THD' capsules to study and optimize the hydrodynamic assembly of the fuel without burn. These capsules are designed to simultaneously reduce DT neutron yield and to maintain hydrodynamic similarity with the DT ignition capsule. We will discuss nominal THD performance and the associated experimental observables. We will show the results of large ensembles of numerical simulations of THD and DT implosions and their simulated diagnostic outputs. These simulations cover a broad range of both nominal and off nominal implosions. We will focus on the development of an experimental implosion performance metric called the experimental ignition threshold factor (ITFX). We will discuss the relationship between ITFX and other integrated performance metrics, including the ignition threshold factor (ITF), the generalized Lawson criterion (GLC), and the hot spot pressure (HSP). We will then consider the experimental results of the recent NIC THD campaign. We will show that we can observe the key quantities for producing a measured ITFX and for inferring the other performance metrics. We will discuss trends in the experimental data, improvement in ITFX, and briefly the upcoming tuning campaign aimed at taking the next steps in performance improvement on the path to ignition on NIF.

Characterization of a spherically bent quartz crystal for Kα x-ray imaging of laser plasmas using a focusing monochromator geometry

Abstract: We have measured the key spectrometric properties (peak reflectivity, reflection curve width, and Bragg angle offset) of a spherically bent quartz 200 crystal using the x-ray emission from a laser-produced Ar plasma. This crystal can image Ar Kα x-rays at near-normal incidence (θB ≈ 81 degrees); our technique operates the same crystal as a high-throughput focusing monochromator on the Rowland circle at angles far from normal incidence (θB ≈ 68 degrees) to make a reflection curve with He-like x-rays from the same laser plasma. This approach, which is applicable to many commonly imaged x-ray emission lines and corresponding spherically bent crystals, permits the experimentalist to obtain an in-situ crystal characterization in the same reflection order as that used for operation.

Three Wavelength Coupling for Fusion Capsule Hohlraums

Abstract: Using three tunable wavelengths on different cones of laser beams the energy transfer between beams can be tuned to redistribute the energy within the cones of beams most prone to backscatter instabilities. Using a third wavelength provides a greater level of control of the laser energy distribution and coupling in the hohlraum, to significantly reduce stimulated Raman scattering losses and increase the hohlraum radiation drive, yet maintain implosion symmetry.

Thomson Scattering Measurements of Temperature and Density in a Low-Density, Laser Driven Magnetized Plasma

Abstract: We present electron temperature and density measurements from Thomson scattering on recent collisionless shock experiments on the Trident laser at Los Alamos National Laboratory. A graphite target placed inside a static magnetic field (1 kG) created by a 50 cm-diameter Helmholtz coil was ablated by a 1053 nm beam, which created a low-density, magnetized plasma. A separate 527 nm beam was used for Thomson scattering to characterize the plasma 3 cm radially from the target and 0.5-8.5 μs after ablation. The electron temperature was found to be relatively constant over 8 μs at 11-13 eV and, combined with Rayleigh scattering, the electron density was found to be 2 × 1014−4 × 1014 cm−3 over the same timescale. Several carbon emission lines were also observed in the Thomson spectrum and were utilized to independently measure the electron temperature and density and to characterize the plasma charge state.

Reproducibility of Hohlraum-Driven Implosion Symmetry on the National Ignition Facility

Abstract: Indirectly driven Symcap capsules are used at the NIF to obtain information about ignition capsule implosion performance, in particular shape. Symcaps replace the cryogenic fuel layer with an equivalent ablator mass and can be similarly diagnosed. Symcaps are good symmetry surrogates to an ignition capsule after the peak of the drive, radiation-hydrodynamics simulations predict that doping of the symcaps vary the behavior of the implosion. We compare the equatorial shapes of a symcap doped with Si or Ge, as well as examine the reproducibility of the shape measurement using two symcaps with the same hohlraum and laser conditions.

Towards an Integrated Model of the NIC Layered Implosions

Abstract: A detailed simulation-based model of the June 2011 National Ignition Campaign (NIC) cryogenic DT experiments is presented. The model is based on integrated hohlraum-capsule simulations that utilize the best available models for the hohlraum wall, ablator, and DT equations of state and opacities. The calculated radiation drive was adjusted by changing the input laser power to match the experimentally measured shock speeds, shock merger times, peak implosion velocity, and bangtime. The crossbeam energy transfer model was tuned to match the measured time-dependent symmetry. Mid-mode mix was included by directly modeling the ablator and ice surface perturbations up to mode 60. Simulated experimental values were extracted from the simulation and compared against the experiment. The model adjustments brought much of the simulated data into closer agreement with the experiment, with the notable exception of the measured yields, which were 15-45% of the calculated yields.

An apparatus for the characterization of warm, dense deuterium with inelastic x-ray scattering

Abstract: We present an instrument platform for studying shock-compressed deuterium on moderately sized laser facilities. The target is designed for cryogenic liquid deuterium to be compressed with a sub-kJ laser pulse. The x-ray probe is the narrow band 2005 eV Si Ly-α resonance produced by a 200 J laser incident on a Si3N4 foil. Scattered x-ray collection occurs in the backward and forward directions; spectral dispersion with Bragg crystals yields the plasma conditions of density and temperature. Additionally, the shock is probed with velocity interferometry. Combined with the electron density measurements from forward scattering, this allows average ionization state to be inferred. Proof of principle experiments demonstrate the viability of this technique for studies of the ionization of deuterium along the Hugoniot.

Diagnosing Implosions at the National Ignition Facility with X-ray Spectroscopy

Abstract: X-ray spectroscopy is used at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) to diagnose plasma conditions in the hot spot and the compressed shell of ignition-scale inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions. Ignition of an ICF target depends on the formation of a central hot spot with sufficient temperature and areal density. The concentric spherical layers of current NIF ignition targets consist of a plastic ablator surrounding a thin shell of cryogenic thermonuclear fuel (i.e., hydrogen isotopes), with fuel vapor filling the interior volume. A fraction of the ablator has a Ge dopant to minimize preheat of the ablator closest to the DT ice caused by Au M-band emission from the hohlraum x-ray drive. This paper concentrates on three spectral features of the implosion: Ge Heα emission, Ge Kα emission, and the Ge K edge. Hydrodynamic instabilities seeded by highmode (50 < l < 200) ablator-surface perturbations on ignition-scale targets can cause mixing of Ge-doped ablator into the interior of the shell at the end ...

Hohlraum Designs for High Velocity Implosions on NIF

Abstract: In this paper, we compare experimental shock and capsule trajectories to design calculations using the radiation-hydrodynamics code HYDRA. The measured trajectories from surrogate ignition targets are consistent with reducing the x-ray flux on the capsule by about 85%. A new method of extracting the radiation temperature as seen by the capsule from x-ray intensity and image data shows that about half of the apparent 15% flux deficit in the data with respect to the simulations can be explained by HYDRA overestimating the x-ray flux on the capsule. The National Ignition Campaign (NIC) point-design target is designed to reach a peak fuel-layer velocity of 370 km/s by ablating 90% of its plastic (CH) ablator. The 192-beam National Ignition Facility laser drives a gold hohlraum to a radiation temperature (T{sub RAD}) of 300 eV with a 20 ns-long, 420 TW, 1.3 MJ laser pulse. The hohlraum x-rays couple to the CH ablator in order to apply the required pressure to the outside of the capsule. In this paper, we compare experimental measurements of the hohlraum T{sub RAD} and the implosion trajectory with design calculations using the code hydra. The measured radial positions of the leading shock wave and the unablated shell are consistent with simulations in which the x-ray flux on the capsule is artificially reduced by 85%. We describe a new method of inferring the T{sub RAD} seen by the capsule from time-dependent x-ray intensity data and static x-ray images. This analysis shows that hydra overestimates the x-ray flux incident on the capsule by {approx}8%.