Engineering topics

Nagel, S. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Nagel, S. R..

At least 19 records

DOE OSTI2024

Developing time-resolved x-ray diffraction diagnostics at the National Ignition Facility (invited)

As part of a program to measure phase transition timescales in materials under dynamic compression, we have designed new x-ray imaging diagnostics to record multiple x-ray diffraction measurements during a single laser-driven experiment. Our design places several ns-gated hybrid CMOS (hCMOS) sensors within a few cm of a laser-driven target. The sensors must be protected from an extremely harsh environment, including debris, electromagnetic pulses, and unconverted laser light. Another key challenge is reducing the x-ray background relative to the faint diffraction signal. Building on the success of our predecessor (Target Diffraction In Situ), we implemented a staged approach to platform development. First, we built a demonstration diagnostic (Gated Diffraction Development Diagnostic) with two hCMOS sensors to confirm we could adequately protect them from the harsh environment and also acquire acceptable diffraction data. This allowed the team to quickly assess the risks and address the most significant challenges. Here, we also collected scientifically useful data during development. Leveraging what we learned, we recently developed a much more ambitious instrument (Flexible Imaging Diffraction Diagnostic for Laser Experiments) that can field up to eight hCMOS sensors in a flexible geometry and participate in back-to-back shots at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The design also allows for future iterations, such as faster hCMOS sensors and an embedded x-ray streak camera. The enhanced capabilities of the new instrument required a much more complex design, and the unexpected issues encountered on the first few shots at NIF remind us that complexity has consequences. Our progress in addressing these challenges is described herein, as is our current focus on improving data quality by reducing x-ray background and quantifying the uncertainties of our diffraction measurements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2024

Characterization of a CMOS camera based film digitization platform for gated x-ray imaging diagnostics at the National Ignition Facility

Hardened gated x-ray detectors use photographic film as the data recording medium due to its low sensitivity to the high-yield neutron environments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The photographic film is digitized with a Photometric Data Systems (PDS) microdensitometer, which measures the film’s optical density. The PDS scanner is able to measure a dynamic range of 0–5 OD; however, raster scanning the film is time consuming and maintenance of the instrument is challenging due to legacy technology. Since film usage at NIF is expected to continue in the foreseeable future, a digitization platform that is faster and more maintainable would benefit the NIF’s current and future operations. Here, this work presents the characterization of the digital transitions (DT) atom, a CMOS camera-based digitization platform that records film data in a single image capture very quickly and has widely available user support. The preliminary results suggest that the DT atom is able to reconstruct exposures accurately enough to be a competitive alternative to the PDS Scanner.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Electrical design of the flexible imaging diffraction diagnostic for laser experiments (FIDDLE) at the National Ignition Facility (NIF)—Requirements, design, and performance

The Flexible Imaging Diffraction Diagnostic for Laser Experiments (FIDDLE) is a newly developed diagnostic for imaging time resolved diffraction in experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). It builds on the successes of its predecessor, the Gated Diffraction Development Diagnostic (G3D). The FIDDLE was designed to support eight Daedalus version 2 sensors (six more hCMOS sensors than any other hCMOS-based diagnostic in NIF to date) and an integrated streak camera. We will review the electrical requirements, design, and performance of the electrical subsystems that were created to support this large number of cameras in the FIDDLE. The analysis of the data that the FIDDLE is intended to collect relies heavily on the accurate and well-understood timing of each sensor. We report camera-to-camera timing jitter of less than 100 ps rms and sensor integration times of 2.2 ns FWHM in 2-2 timing mode. Additionally, diffraction experiments on the NIF produce electric fields (EMI) on the order of 1 kV/m, which have been observed to negatively impact the performance of some electrical components of the FIDDLE. We report on the results of testing hCMOS camera electronics in a similar EMI environment generated in an offline lab. In addition, we also summarize the use of a novel approach to using a vector network analyzer as an EMI leak detector to understand and reduce the negative impacts of EMI on the FIDDLE.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Time resolved X-ray diffraction using the FIDDLE diagnostic at NIF: Preliminary assessment of diffraction precision

The Flexible Imaging Diffraction Diagnostic for Laser Experiments (FIDDLE) is a new diagnostic at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) designed to observe in situ solid-solid phase changes at high pressures using time resolved X-ray diffraction. FIDDLE currently incorporates five Icarus Ultrafast X-ray Imager sensors that take 2 ns snapshots and can be tuned to collect X-rays for tens of ns. The platform utilizes the laser power at NIF for both the laser drive and the generation of 10 keV X-rays for ~10 ns using a Ge backlighter foil. We aim to use FIDDLE to observe diffraction at different times during compression to probe the kinetics of phase changes. Pb undergoes two solid-solid phase transitions during ramp compression: from FCC to HCP and HCP to BCC. Results will be reported on some of the first shots using the FIDDLE diagnostic at NIF on ramp compressed Pb to a peak pressure of ~110 GPa and a single undriven CeO2 calibration shot. A discussion of the uncertainties in the observed diffraction is included.

Vennari, C. E.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Time-resolved X-ray diffraction diagnostic development for the National Ignition Facility

Here we present the development of an experimental platform that can collect four frames of x-ray diffraction data along a single line of sight during laser-driven, dynamic-compression experiments at the National Ignition Facility. The platform is comprised of a diagnostic imager built around ultrafast sensors with a 2-ns integration time, a custom target assembly that serves also to shield the imager, and a 10-ns duration, quasi-monochromatic x-ray source produced by laser-generated plasma. We demonstrate the performance with diffraction data for Pb ramp compressed to 150 GPa and illuminated by a Ge x-ray source that produces ∼7 × 10 11 , 10.25-keV photons/ns at the 400 μm diameter sample.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2023

Analysis and mitigation of an oscillating background on hybrid complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (hCMOS) imaging sensors at the National Ignition Facility

Nanosecond-gated hybrid complementary metal-oxide semiconductor imaging sensors are a powerful tool for temporally gated and spatially resolved measurements in high energy density science, including inertial confinement fusion, and in laser diagnostics. However, a significant oscillating background excited by photocurrent has been observed in image sequences during testing and in experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Characterization measurements and simulation results are used to explain the oscillations as the convolution of the pixel-level sensor response with a sensor-wide RLC circuit ringing. Finally, data correction techniques are discussed for NIF diagnostics, and for diagnostics where these techniques cannot be used, a proof-of-principle image correction algorithm is presented.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2023

The effects of pre-plasma scale length on the relativistic electron beam directionality

The effects of pre-plasmas on the electron beam directionality was experimentally and numerically investigated. Single material and layered targets made of Ti and/or CH were used to simultaneously measure high-energy (≥3 MeV) electrons along two directions, pre-pulse energy and pre-plasma density. The electron directionality is quantified by using a new parameter, the electron energy ratio of the total kinetic energies along the two directions. Measurements and radiation–hydrodynamic (RH) simulations show that a large (≥3.5 μm) plasma scale length at the critical surface enhances electrons along the laser axis, and such pre-plasma conditions could only be achieved with the CH targets. Particle-in-cell simulations were performed on the RH generated pre-plasmas from Ti and CH targets, and the results show that the CH target provided conditions for higher forward momentum gains by electrons. First, the CH target allowed longer distances for electrons to interact with laser. Second, the intense laser pulse modified the critical surface, but the resulting surface differed. The CH target resulted in a smooth surface where a retro-reflection was observed while the Ti target resulted in a rippled surface that scattered the reflected light. As results, the CH electrons gained higher forward momentum via a direct-laser-acceleration in the counter propagating laser fields. So the results presented in this article show a way of controlling the high-energy electron directionality.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2023

Reaching a burning plasma and ignition using smaller capsules/ Hohlraums , higher radiation temperatures, and thicker ablator/ice on the national ignition facility

In indirect-drive implosions, the final core hot spot energy and pressure and, hence, neutron yield attainable in 1D increase with increasing laser peak power and, hence, radiation drive temperature at the fixed capsule and Hohlraum size. Here we present simple analytic scalings validated by 1D simulations that quantify the improvement in performance and use this to explain existing data and simulation trends. Extrapolating to the 500 TW National Ignition Facility peak power limit in a low gas-fill 5.4 mm diameter Hohlraum based on existing high adiabat implosion data at 400 TW, 1.3 MJ and 1 × 10 16 yield, we find that a 2–3 × 10 17 yield (0.5–0.7 MJ) is plausible using only 1.8 MJ of laser energy. Based on existing data varying deuterium–tritium (DT) fuel thickness and dopant areal density, further improvements should be possible by increasing DT fuel areal density, and hence confinement time and yield amplification.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2023

Electron pulse-dilation diagnostic instruments

During the past decade, a number of diagnostic instruments have been developed that utilize electron pulse-dilation to achieve temporal resolution in the 5–30 ps range. These development efforts were motivated by the need for advanced diagnostics for high-energy density physics experiments around the world. The new instruments include single- and multi-frame gated imagers and non-imaging detectors that record continuous data streams. Electron pulse-dilation provides high-speed detection capability by converting incoming signals into a free electron cloud and manipulating the electron signal with electric and magnetic fields. In this paper we discuss design details and applications of these instruments along with issues and challenges associated with employing the electron pulse-dilation technique. Additionally, methods to characterize instrument performance and improve tolerance to gamma and neutron background radiation are discussed.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2023

Alpha heating of indirect-drive layered implosions on the National Ignition Facility

We report in order to understand how close current layered implosions in indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion are to ignition, it is necessary to measure the level of alpha heating present. To this end, pairs of experiments were performed that consisted of a low-yield tritium–hydrogen–deuterium (THD) layered implosion and a high-yield deuterium–tritium (DT) layered implosion to validate experimentally current simulation-based methods of determining yield amplification. The THD capsules were designed to reduce simultaneously DT neutron yield (alpha heating) and maintain hydrodynamic similarity with the higher yield DT capsules. The ratio of the yields measured in these experiments then allowed the alpha heating level of the DT layered implosions to be determined. The level of alpha heating inferred is consistent with fits to simulations expressed in terms of experimentally measurable quantities and enables us to infer the level of alpha heating in recent high-performing implosions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2022

Optimized x-ray emission from 10 ns long germanium x-ray sources at the National Ignition Facility

This study investigates methods to optimize quasi-monochromatic, ~10 ns long x-ray sources (XRS) for time-resolved x-ray diffraction measurements of phase transitions during dynamic laser compression measurements at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). To support this, we produce continuous and pulsed XRS by irradiating a Ge foil with NIF lasers to achieve an intensity of 2 × 10 15 W/cm 2 , optimizing the laser-to-x-ray conversion efficiency. Our x-ray source is dominated by Ge He-α line emission. Here, we discuss methods to optimize the source to maintain a uniform XRS for ~10 ns, mitigating cold plasma and higher energy x-ray emission lines.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2022

High spatial resolution and contrast radiography of hydrodynamic instabilities at the National Ignition Facility

In this work, we are developing techniques for studying the Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) and Richtmyer–Meshkov (RM) instabilities in a planar geometry at high-energy-densities at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). In particular, through the improvement of experimental imaging quality, we are progressing toward the study of the turbulent regime of the mixing regions in capsule implosion experiments for inertial confinement fusion, which requires few micrometers resolution. Using 60 NIF beams, a solid shock tube is driven launching a shock wave that crosses the interface between a dense and a light material pre-machined in the target to obtain sinusoidal ripples, which results in RM and RT instabilities that are imaged using the NIF Crystal Backlighter Imager. High-quality images were obtained with a mean resolution of 7 μm and improved contrast. While the obtained resolution does not allow the observation of the smallest scale of the “turbulent” energy spectrum, the generated image encompasses 63% of the total flow energy, a 50% improvement over previous studies, which is observed for the first time a roll-up feature in a high energy density-type RT experiment.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2022

Experiments on the single-mode Richtmyer–Meshkov instability with reshock at high energy densities

Here, the hydrodynamic instability growth of a reshocked single-mode interface between high energy density fluids is studied. A laser-driven shock wave is used to drive an initially solid, sinusoidal interface between a dense plastic (1.43 g/cc) and a light foam (≈ 0.110 g/cc). After the interface has grown to a nonlinear state where the amplitude is of order of the wavelength, it is reshocked. The reshock compresses the nonlinear perturbation, which then grows at about twice the rate. While the pre-reshock growth rate is sensitive to the initial amplitude and wavelength of the perturbation, the post-reshock growth rate is comparatively insensitive to the initial condition. Qualitatively, we observe that the perturbations are less coherent after reshock, consistent with the idea that having a reshock accelerates the transition to turbulence. We find that some memory of the initial condition remains, even after reshock at late time: it appears if the initial perturbations have large enough wavelengths, and the flow structure of size comparable to the initial wavelength persists through reshock. Our results agree with design simulations and are consistent with the phenomenology of reshock studies in conventional gaseous shock tubes.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2022

Design of a high-resolution Rayleigh-Taylor experiment with the Crystal Backlighter Imager on the National Ignition Facility

The Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) instability affects a vast range of High Energy Density (HED) length scales, spanning from supernova explosions (10 13 m) to inertial confinement fusion (10 -6 m). In inertial confinement fusion, the RT instability is known to induce mixing or turbulent transition, which in turn cools the hot spot and hinders ignition. The fine-scale features of the RT instability, which are difficult to image in HED physics, may help determine if the system is mixing or is transitioning to turbulence. Earlier diagnostics lacked the spatial and temporal resolution necessary to diagnose the dynamics that occur along the RT structure. A recently developed diagnostic, the Crystal Backlighter Imager (CBI), [1,2] can now produce an x-ray radiograph capable of resolving the fine-scale features expected in these RT unstable systems. This paper describes an experimental design that adapts a well-characterized National Ignition Facility (NIF) platform to accommodate the CBI diagnostic. Simulations and synthetic radiographs highlight the resolution capabilities of the CBI in comparison to previous diagnostics. Furthermore, the improved resolution of the system can provide new observations to study the RT instability's involvement in mixing and the transition to turbulence in the HED regime.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2022

A study of space charge induced non-linearity in the Single Line Of Sight camera

We report a new generation of gated x-ray detectors at the National Ignition Facility has brought faster, enhanced imaging capabilities. Their performance is currently limited by the amount of signal they can be operated with before space charge effects in their electron tube start to compromise their temporal and spatial response. We present a technique to characterize this phenomenon and apply it to a prototype of such systems, the Single Line Of Sight camera. Results of this characterization are used to benchmark Particle In Cell simulations of the electrons drifting inside the detector, which are found to well reproduce experimental data. These simulations are then employed to predict the optimum photon flux to the camera, with the goal to increase the quality of the images obtained on an experimental campaign while preventing the appearance of deleterious effects. They also offer some insight into some of the improvements that can be brought to the new pulse-dilation systems being built at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2021

Observation of Hydrodynamic Flows in Imploding Fusion Plasmas on the National Ignition Facility [plus supplemental information]

Inertial confinement fusion implosions designed to have minimal fluid motion at peak compression often show significant linear flows in the laboratory, attributable per simulations to percent-level imbalances in the laser drive illumination symmetry. In this work, we present experimental results which intentionally varied the mode 1 drive imbalance by up to 4% to test hydrodynamic predictions of flows and the resultant imploded core asymmetries and performance, as measured by a combination of DT neutron spectroscopy and high-resolution x-ray core imaging. Neutron yields decrease by up to 50%, and anisotropic neutron Doppler broadening increases by 20%, in agreement with simulations. Furthermore, a tracer jet from the capsule fill-tube perturbation that is entrained by the hot-spot flow confirms the average flow speeds deduced from neutron spectroscopy.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2021

Principal factors in performance of indirect-drive laser fusion experiments

Progress in inertial confinement fusion depends on the accurate interpretation of experiments that are complex and difficult to explain with simulations. Results could depend on small changes in the laser pulse or target or physics that are not fully understood or characterized. In this paper we discuss an x-ray-driven platform [K. Baker et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 121, 135001 (2018)] with fewer sources of degradation, and find the fusion yield can be described as a physically motivated function of laser energy, target scale, and implosion symmetry. This platform and analysis could enable a more experimental approach to the study and optimization of implosion physics.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2021

Experiments to explore the influence of pulse shaping at the National Ignition Facility

The shaping of the drive pulse in time is a key tool in the design of fusion experiments that use inertia to confine burning plasmas. It is directly related to the adiabat and compressibility of the DT fuel, and the characteristics of the laser and target that are needed to ignite. With this in mind, we have performed experiments at the National Ignition Facility that test small changes in the shape of the pulse. In contrast to theory, we find implosions at lower adiabats can have reduced yield and areal density. We discuss implications to performance and the mechanism(s) that could be responsible.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗