Omega-Next Laser Facility Target Design-Space Proposal

ORAL

Abstract

The University of Rochester plans a next-generation inertial confinement fusion (ICF) facility capable of direct- or indirect-drive modes. The OMEGA Next Laser Facility intends to operate upward in energy to access ICF conditions unreachable by OMEGA, allowing it to explore design spaces including alpha burn (marginal ignition), high areal density, and, potentially, ignition using modern upgrades in laser technology that promise reductions in deleterious laser–plasma instabilities that limit current ICF laser systems. The upgraded laser system includes clustered beams utilized for multiple combinations such as differing spot shapes, pulse epochs, and wavelengths, all together with broadband dispersed light. The laser-beam clusters spread over 4 illuminate the target with pulse shaping, uniformity, and energy necessary to achieve a burning plasma upward to ignition while fielding a variety of target dimensions and compositions. This talk explores the expansive design space for the OMEGA Next Laser Facility, providing a wide range of target design options leveraging new ICF laser system advances.

*This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0003856.

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Presenters

  • John A Marozas

    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

Authors

  • John A Marozas

    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Timothy J Collins

    • University of Rochester
    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Patrick m McKenty

    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Duc Cao

    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester
    • U. Rochester/LLE
    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester
    • University of Rochester

  • William T Trickey

    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Valeri N Goncharov

    • University of Rochester
    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Jon D Zuegel

    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics
    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Christophe Dorrer

    • University of Rochester
    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester