Experimental demonstration of X-ray drive enhancement with rugby-shaped hohlraums

Phys Rev Lett. 2010 Jan 22;104(3):035004. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.035004. Epub 2010 Jan 22.

Abstract

Rugby-shaped hohlraums have been suggested as a way to enhance x-ray drive in the indirect drive approach to inertial confinement fusion. This Letter presents an experimental comparison of rugby-shaped and cylinder hohlraums used for D2 and D3He-filled capsules implosions on the Omega laser facility, demonstrating an increase of x-ray flux by 18% in rugby-shaped hohlraums. The highest yields to date for deuterium gas implosions in indirect drive on Omega (1.5x10{10} neutrons) were obtained, allowing for the first time the measurement of a DD burn history. Proton spectra measurements provide additional validation of the higher drive in rugby-shaped hohlraums.