High-resolution integrated Eulerian simulations of hohlraum dynamics and capsule implosions

The xRAGE Eulerian rad-hydro code has undergone improvements to enable credible hohlraum modeling[1]. xRAGE’s adaptive mesh refinement makes it uniquely suited to study small features, such as the 45nm capsule support tent, on hohlraum dynamics. Simulation comparisons to benchmark hohlraum experiments[2] provides confidence in our modeling. Comparisons to plasma interpenetration experiments[3] show improved agreement with plasma transport models[4]. We have also modeled layered capsule implosions[5] to evaluate the impact of the tent, cross-beam energy transfer[6], plasma transport[4], external hardware, and mixed material conductivities. All of these impact the shape of the implosion, though they can’t explain observed bang time discrepancies. The tent traps radiation at early time, producing additional drive on the equator. The agreement with measured X-ray flux data is sensitive to mixed material conductivity methodologies, and different treatments provide better agreement at early and late times.

[1]Haines et al, Phys Plasmas (submitted) 2022

[2]Kline et al, Phys Rev Lett 106:085003 2011

[3]Le Pape et al, Phys Rev Lett 124:025003 2020

[4]Vold et al, Phys Plasmas 24:042702 2017

[5]Zylstra et al, Phys Plasmas 27:092709 2020

[6]Marozas et al, Phys Plasmas 25:056314 2018