Design of Planar Heterogeneous Ablation Experiment on OMEGA*

Ablation of heterogeneous material is not well understood and will play an important role in the implosion of targets such as the Polar Direct Drive- Wetted Foam concept¹ that employ advanced fabrication techniques. To this end, we are designing an experiment in a simplified planar configuration on the OMEGA platform which will drive a shock through the target by ablating a heterogeneous medium of two-photon-polymerization (2PP) 3D-printed lattice and liquid deuterium, where shock propagation speed and planarity of the shock structure relative to lattice morphology will be measured. To make sure the bulk of the ablation occurs in the heterogenous medium, we explore several options for front window material and thickness to minimize burnoff time, thereby maximizing ablation of the desired heterogenous material beneath. Results of initial 1D and 2D simulations of shock propagation will be presented. We anticipate presenting updates on current progress in modeling and design.

  

¹ R. E. Olson, M. J. Schmitt, B. M. Haines, G. E. Kemp, C. B. Yeamans, B. E. Blue, D. W. Schmidt, A. Haid, M. Farrell, P. A. Bradley, H. F. Robey, and R. J. Leeper, “A polar direct drive liquid deuterium–tritium wetted foam target concept for inertial confinement fusion”, Phys. Plasmas 28 122704 (2021).