Published March 11, 2005 | Version v1
Journal article

The Saturn Target for polar direct drive on the National Ignition Facility

  • 1. Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, 250 East River Road, Rochester, New York 14623-1299 (United States)

Description

A new target design concept is proposed for direct-drive implosions while the National Ignition Facility is in its initial, indirect-drive configuration. It differs from earlier 'polar-direct-drive' designs by adding a low-Z ring around the capsule equator. Refraction in the plasma formed around this ring permits time-dependent tuning of the capsule drive uniformity. An optimized simulation shows an implosion-velocity nonuniformity at the end of the laser pulse of ∼1% rms for a cryogenic deuterium-tritium shell, enhancing the prospects for an early direct-drive ignition demonstration on the National Ignition Facility

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physical Review Letters
Journal Volume
94
Journal Issue
9
Journal Page Range
p. 095002-095002.4
ISSN
0031-9007
CODEN
PRLTAO

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2005 The American Physical Society