Understanding Cryogenic Target Performance on OMEGA Using Statistics-Based Analysis with 2-D DRACO Simulations

In the past, great success in target performance optimization has been achieved by building a predictive capability using statistical modeling. Based on results of nearly 300 cryogenic experiments performed on the OMEGA laser, such modeling constructs scaling laws for neutron yields and areal density that are in addition to scaling predictions from LILAC 1‑D simulations [V. Gopalaswamy et al., Nature 565, 581 (2019)]. These additional scalings are functions of design parameters (target and laser beam sizes, fuel adiabat, shell thickness, convergence ratio, etc.) and hypothesized to represent multidimensional degradation effects, but they have yet to be fully explained. In this talk, we describe a new statistical model based on the same experimental data but combined with advanced 2-D simulations. This new model shows that these additional scaling terms can be understood with physics models included in DRACO 2-D [P. B. Radha et al., Phys. Plasmas 12, 032702 (2005)]. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0003856.