Simulations of Shock-Ignition Targets for the NIF

Shock ignition\footnote{ R. Betti\textit{ et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{98}, 155001 (2007).} is a low-drive energy alternative to standard hot-spot ignition at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). A cryogenic shock-ignition design for the NIF with a thick plastic ablator is described. The target is driven by a triple-picket pulse shape\footnote{ V. N. Goncharov\textit{ et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{104}, 165001 (2010).} to simplify shock tuning and improve stability via adiabat shaping.\footnote{ V. N. Goncharov\textit{ et al.}, Phys. Plasmas \textbf{10}, 1906 (2003).}$^{,}$\footnote{ K. Anderson and R. Betti, Phys. Plasmas \textbf{11}, 5 (2004).} Results from one- and two-dimensional simulations will assess the robustness of this target due to various sources of nonuniformity including ice roughness, beam geometry, laser power balance, laser imprint, and hot-electron energy deposition. This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Inertial Confinement Fusion under Cooperative Agreement No. DE-FC52-08NA28302 and DE-FC02-04ER54789.