Using Hydrodynamic Codes in Modeling of Multi-Interface Diverging Experiments for NIF*

Using the Omega Laser, researchers studying supernova dynamics have observed the growth of Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities in a high energy density system. The NIF laser hopes to generate the energy needed to expand these experiments to a diverging system. We report scaling simulations to model the interface dynamics of a multilayered, diverging Rayleigh-Taylor experiment for NIF using CALE, a hybrid adaptive Lagrangian-Eulerian code developed at LLNL. Specifically, we looked both qualitatively and quantitatively at the Rayleigh-Taylor growth and multi-interface interactions in mass-scaled systems using different materials. The simulations will assist in the target design process and help choose diagnostics to maximize the information we receive in a particular shot. Simulations are critical for experimental planning, especially for experiments on large-scale facilities.