Developing a platform to assess the evolution of the fuel-liner interface due to laser preheat in MagLIF*

In magnetized liner inertial fusion (MagLIF), a laser is used to preheat fusion fuel to 0.1-1 keV, a ~10 T axial magnetic field is applied to suppress radial thermal conduction losses, and up to 21 MA is delivered by the Z facility to implode the target, compressing the fuel to achieve fusion conditions. Radiation from the laser-heated fuel interacts with the inner surface of the target, causing material to ablate and migrate into the fuel. Additionally, a radial blast wave is generated, which may enhance transport of target material into the fuel. We present a radiography platform developed on the Omega EP laser facility to isolate and study the evolution of the fuel-liner interface during the preheat stage. Initial radiographs show dynamics of the dense liner wall, as well as low-density material released from the inner surface, observable with a high-Z contrast layer.