Generalized x-ray scattering cross section from non-equilibrium solids and plasmas

We propose a modified x-ray form factor that describes the scattering cross section in warm dense matter valid for both the plasma and the solid (crystalline) state. Our model accounts for the effect of lattice correlations on the electron-electron dynamic structure, as well as provides a smooth transition between the solid and the plasma scattering cross sections. In addition, we generalize the expression of the dynamic structure in the case of a two-temperature system (with different electron and ion temperatures). This work provides a unified description of the x-ray scattering processes in warm and dense matter, as the one encountered in inertial confinement fusion, laboratory astrophysics, material science, and high-energy density physics and it can be used to verify temperature relaxation mechanisms in such environments

Modified Bell-Plesset Effect with Compressibility: Application to Double-Shell Ignition Target Designs

The effect of spherical convergence on the fluid stability of collapsing and expanding bubbles was originally treated by Bell [Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory Report No. LA-1321 (1951)] and Plesset [J. Appl. Phys. 25, 96 (1954)]. The additional effect of fluid compressibility was also considered by Bell but was limited to the case of nonzero density on only one side of a fluid interface. A more general extension is developed which considers distinct time-dependent uniform densities on both sides of an interface in a spherically converging geometry. A modified form of the velocity potential is used that avoids an unphysical divergence at the origin [Goncharov et al., Phys. Plasmas 7, 5118 (2000); Lin et al., Phys. Fluids 14, 2925 (2002)]. Two consequences of this approach are that an instability proposed by Plesset for an expanding bubble in the limit of large interior density is now absent and application to inertial confinement fusion studies of stability becomes feasible. The model is applied to a proposed ignition double-shell target design [Amendt et al., Phys. Plasmas 9, 2221 (2002)] for the National Ignition Facility [Paisner et al., Laser Focus World 30, 75 (1994)] for studying the stability of the inner surface of an imploding high-Z inner shell. Application of the Haan [Phys. Rev. A 39, 5812 (1989)] saturation criterion suggests that ignition is possible

High-energy x-ray microscopy of laser-fusion plasmas at the National Ignition Facility

Multi-keV x-ray microscopy will be an important laser-produced plasma diagnostic at future megajoule facilities such as the National Ignition Facility (NIF).In preparation for the construction of this facility, we have investigated several instrumentation options in detail, and we conclude that near normal incidence single spherical or toroidal crystals may offer the best general solution for high-energy x-raymicroscopy at NIF and at similar large facilities. Kirkpatrick-Baez microscopes using multi-layer mirrors may also be good secondary options, particularly if apertures are used to increase the band-width limited field of view

LLNL Contribution to LLE FY09 Annual Report: NIC and HED Results

In FY09, LLNL led 238 target shots on the OMEGA Laser System. Approximately half of these LLNL-led shots supported the National Ignition Campaign (NIC). The remainder was dedicated to experiments for the high-energy-density stewardship experiments (HEDSE). Objectives of the LLNL led NIC campaigns at OMEGA included: (1) Laser-plasma interaction studies in physical conditions relevant for the NIF ignition targets; (2) Demonstration of Tr = 100 eV foot symmetry tuning using a reemission sphere; (3) X-ray scattering in support of conductivity measurements of solid density Be plasmas; (4) Experiments to study the physical properties (thermal conductivity) of shocked fusion fuels; (5) High-resolution measurements of velocity nonuniformities created by microscopic perturbations in NIF ablator materials; (6) Development of a novel Compton Radiography diagnostic platform for ICF experiments; and (7) Precision validation of the equation of state for quartz. The LLNL HEDSE campaigns included the following experiments: (1) Quasi-isentropic (ICE) drive used to study material properties such as strength, equation of state, phase, and phase-transition kinetics under high pressure; (2) Development of a high-energy backlighter for radiography in support of material strength experiments using Omega EP and the joint OMEGA-OMEGA-EP configuration; (3) Debris characterization from long-duration, point-apertured, point-projection x-ray backlighters for NIF radiation transport experiments; (4) Demonstration of ultrafast temperature and density measurements with x-ray Thomson scattering from short-pulse laser-heated matter; (5) The development of an experimental platform to study nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) physics using direct-drive implosions; (6) Opacity studies of high-temperature plasmas under LTE conditions; and (7) Characterization of copper (Cu) foams for HEDSE experiments

Characterization of the series 1000 camera system

The National Ignition Facility requires a compact network addressable scientific grade CCD camera for use in diagnostics ranging from streak cameras to gated x-ray imaging cameras. Due to the limited space inside the diagnostic, an analog and digital input/output option in the camera controller permits control of both the camera and the diagnostic by a single Ethernet link. The system consists of a Spectral Instruments Series 1000 camera, a PC104+ controller, and power supply. The 4k by 4k CCD camera has a dynamic range of 70 dB with less than 14 electron read noise at a 1MHz readout rate. The PC104+ controller includes 16 analog inputs, 4 analog outputs and 16 digital input/output lines for interfacing to diagnostic instrumentation. A description of the system and performance characterization is reported

Debris and Shrapnel Mitigation Procedure for NIF Experiments

All experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) will produce debris and shrapnel from vaporized, melted, or fragmented target/diagnostics components. For some experiments mitigation is needed to reduce the impact of debris and shrapnel on optics and diagnostics. The final optics, e.g., wedge focus lens, are protected by two layers of debris shields. There are 192 relatively thin (1-3 mm) disposable debris shields (DDS's) located in front of an equal number of thicker (10 mm) main debris shields (MDS's). The rate of deposition of debris on DDS's affects their replacement rate and hence has an impact on operations. Shrapnel (molten and solid) can have an impact on both types of debris shields. There is a benefit to better understanding these impacts and appropriate mitigation. Our experiments on the Omega laser showed that shrapnel from Ta pinhole foils could be redirected by tilting the foils. Other mitigation steps include changing location or material of the component identified as the shrapnel source. Decisions on the best method to reduce the impact of debris and shrapnel are based on results from a number of advanced simulation codes. These codes are validated by a series of dedicated experiments. One of the 3D codes, NIF's ALE-AMR, is being developed with the primary focus being a predictive capability for debris/shrapnel generation. Target experiments are planned next year on NIF using 96 beams. Evaluations of debris and shrapnel for hohlraum and capsule campaigns are presented

Soft x-ray detection with diamond photoconductive detectors

Photoconductive detectors fabricated from natural lla diamonds have been used to measure the x-ray power emitted from laser produced plasmas. The detector was operated without any absorbing filters to distort the x-ray power measurement. The 5.5 eV bandgap of the detector material practically eliminates its sensitivity to scattered laser radiation thus permitting filterless operation. The detector response time or carrier life time was 90 ps. Excellent agreement was achieved between a diamond PCD and a multichannel photoemissive diode array in the measurement of radiated x-ray power and energy. 4 figs

X-ray Induced Pinhole Closure in Point Projection X-ray Radiography

In pinhole-assisted point-projection x-ray radiography (or ''backlighting''), pinholes are placed between the sample of interest and an x-ray source (or ''backlighter'') to effectively limit the source size and hence improve the spatial resolution of the system. Pinholes are generally placed close to such x-ray backlighters to increase the field-of-view, leading to possible vaporization and pinhole closure due to x-ray driven ablation, thereby potentially limiting the usefulness of this method. An experimental study and modeling of time-dependent closure and resolution is presented. The pinhole closure timescale is studied for various pinhole sizes, pinhole to backlighter separations and filtering conditions. In addition the time-dependent resolution is extracted from one-dimensional wire imaging prior to pinhole closure. Cylindrical hydrodynamic modeling of the pinhole closure shows reasonable agreement with data, giving us a predictive capability for pinhole closure in future experiments