First refraction enhanced radiography experiments for probing inflight density profiles of ICF capsule implosions

Possible explanations for reduced compression of deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel capsule implosions on the National Ignition Facility are higher than expected ablator preheat that can increase the ablator-DT ice density jump and induce mix, more high-mode interface mix, and unexpected strength of reverberating shocks. We have hence implemented 8 keV streaked x-ray refraction enhanced radiography to infer the inflight density profiles in indirectly-driven TH layered fuel capsule implosions. The first data taken at 5 µm, 25 ps resolution reveal sharp fringe features associated with the ablation front, shocks and ice-ablator interface that are not visible in traditional absorption radiographs. The inferred density profiles will be compared to simulations.