ABSTRACT
The first hohlraum experiments on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) using the initial four laser beams tested radiation temperature limits imposed by plasma filling. For a variety of hohlraum sizes and pulse lengths, the measured x-ray flux shows signatures of filling that coincide with hard x-ray emission from plasma streaming out of the hohlraum. These observations agree with hydrodynamic simulations and with an analytical model that includes hydrodynamic and coronal radiative losses. The modeling predicts radiation temperature limits with full NIF (1.8 MJ), greater, and of longer duration than required for ignition hohlraums.
ABSTRACT
The copper-laser-pumped dye laser system developed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is now capable of sustained, efficient, and reliable operation at total powers exceeding 2500 W and single amplifier chain powers exceeding 1300 W. Wavelength center frequency stability is maintainable to < 50 MHz. Laser dyes developed at LLNL permit tunability from 550 to 650 nm. Wave-front quality is < lambda/4 peak to valley. The system is operated remotely with the aid of a comprehensive set of diagnostics. Besides supporting its primary atomic-vapor-laser-isotope-separation mission, the system is being used in alternate applications such as materials processing and the generation of artificial guide stars.
