Measurements of modulation growth due to ablative Richtmyer-Meshkov instability using 2D laser-imprinted modulations*

Unstable growth due to the ablative Richtmyer-Meshkov instability was studied on OMEGA at laser drive intensity of 5e13 W/cm$^{2}$ in a direct drive configuration with a planer CH$_{2}$ foil. Initial 2D modulations with spatial wavelengths of 30, 70, and 120 um were imprinted on targets by laser beams using special 2D phase plates. The evolution of modulations due to the ablative RM instability was measured with x-ray radiography. Measured modulation growth will be presented and compared with predictions of 2D simulations.