High-Performance Layered DT Capsule Implosions in Depleted Uranium Hohlraums on the NIF

ORAL

Abstract

We report on the first layered DT capsule implosions in depleted uranium (DU) hohlraums driven with a high-foot pulse shape. High-foot implosions have demonstrated improved resistance to hydrodynamic instabilities. [Hurricane et al., Nature {\bf 506}, 343 (2014)]. DU hohlraums provide a higher albedo and thus an increased drive equivalent to 25 TW extra laser power at the peak of the drive compared to Au hohlraums. Additionally, we observe an improved implosion shape closer to round which indicates enhanced drive from the waist. As a result, these first high-foot DU experiments achieved total neutron yields approaching 10$^{16}$ neutrons where more than 50\% of the yield was due to additional heating of alpha particles stopping in the DT fuel.

*This work performed under the auspices of U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

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Authors

  • T. Doeppner

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • LLNL
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • O.A. Hurricane

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • LLNL

  • Debra Callahan

    • Lawrence Livermore National Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • D.T. Casey

    • LLNL
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • T. Ma

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • Lawrence Livermore Nat'l Lab
    • LLNL

  • Hye-Sook Park

    • LLNL
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • L. Benedetti

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • LLNL

  • E.L. Dewald

    • LLNL
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • T.R. Dittrich

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • LLNL
    • Lawrence Livermore Nat'l Lab

  • D. Fittinghoff

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • S. Haan

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • LLNL

  • D.E. Hinkel

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • L.F. Berzak Hopkins

    • LLNL
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • N. Izumi

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • LLNL

  • A. Kritcher

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • LLNL

  • S. Le Pape

    • LLNL, USA
    • LLNL
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • A. Pak

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • LLNL

  • P.K. Patel

    • Lawrence Livermore National Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • LLNL

  • H.F. Robey

    • LLNL
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • B.A. Remington

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • LLNL

  • J.D. Salmonson

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • Lawrence Livermore Nat'l Lab

  • P.T. Springer

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • K. Widmann

    • LLNL
    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • F. Merrill

    • Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • C. Wilde

    • Los Alamos National Laboratory