Implosion experiments at Nova

Recent experiments at Nova focused on achieving and diagnosing high-density implosions. Primary diagnostics are based on neutron measurements and include dt and dd neutron yields through Cu, Ag, and In activation, fuel ion temperature through neutron time of flight, pusher areal density through Si activation, and fuel areal density through measurements of secondary dt neutrons from pure deuterium fuel. This last technique is of particular interest for high-density implosions since it provides direct measurement of fuel ; however, this diagnostic is complicated for values so large that the secondary tritons lose significant energy in the fuel. Techniques for making large fuel measurements with secondary dt neutrons are discussed. Experimental implosion results and interpretations are presented. In addition to the high-density experiments, high thermonuclear yield experiments are also performed and results are presented