Gamma Imaging of Inertial Confinement Fusion Implosions

The nuclear imaging team has recently acquired the first gamma images of inertial confinement fusion implosions at the National Ignition Facility. The gamma image provides crucial information in our quest to fully characterize the inertial confinement fuel assembly at stagnation. Gamma imaging is a powerful technique that visualizes both gamma radiation emitted directly in Deuterium-Tritium (DT) fusion reactions as well as gammas produced when DT fusion neutrons scatter on Carbon atoms in the remaining ablator of the fuel capsule. The resulting image provides valuable information on the location of the remaining ablator location and mass, as well as potential contamination of the hot spot. We present recent gamma imaging data, analysis techniques, and interpretations illustrating the capabilities of this novel diagnostic. See N. Hoffman's talk at this conference for associated model calculations.