A broadband proton backlighting platform to probe shock propagation in low-density systems.
A proton backlighting platform has been developed for the study of strong shock propagation in low-density systems in planar geometry. Electric fields at the converging shock front in inertial confinement fusion implosions have been previously observed, demonstrating the presence of-and the need to understand-strong electric fields not modeled in standard radiation-hydrodynamic simulations. In this planar configuration, long-pulse ultraviolet lasers are used to drive a strong shock into a gas-cell target, while a short-pulse proton backlighter side-on radiographs the shock propagation. The capabilities of the platform are presented here. Future experiments will vary shock strength and gas fill, to probe shock conditions at different Z and Te.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
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000000017274236X
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Sio
Center for Energy Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
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Hua
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA.
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Y
Ping
Center for Energy Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
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000000028162192X
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McGuffey
Center for Energy Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
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F
Beg
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA.
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0000000310971823
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Heeter
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
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Li
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
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0000000258834054
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Petrasso
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA.
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Collins