Updated Simulations of a Molecular Cloud experiment using CRASH*

Laboratory experiments explore molecular cloud radiation hydrodynamics. Our experiment irradiates a gold foil with a laser producing x-rays to drive the implosion of a foam ball. We show simulation results of the CRASH code, a Eulerian code with block-adaptive mesh refinement, multigroup diffusive radiation transport, and electron heat conduction developed at the U. of Michigan to design and analyze HED experiments. We explore how experimental conditions, such as a dynamic x-ray spot size, the ablated foam ball’s interaction with the expansion of the irradiated gold foil, and how the interaction between the stalk and the foam ball will affect the experiment. We also show simulated radiographs designed for direct comparison to experimental ones. The results of this study are used to recommend improvements in future experimental designs.