Design and simulations of indirect drive ignition targets for NIF

Studies on simulation and design of ignition targets for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) are described. Recent effort has emphasized the systematic exploration of the parameter space of possible ignition targets, providing comparisons as specific as possible between the various targets. This study aims at providing guidance for target fabrication R&D, and for other elements of the ignition program. Targets are being considered that span 250–350 eV drive temperatures, capsule energies from 150 to 600 kJ, cocktail and gold hohlraum spectra, and three ablator materials (Be[Cu], CH[Ge] and polyimide). Capsules with graded doped beryllium ablators are found to be very stable with respect to short-wavelength Rayleigh–Taylor growth. Sensitivity to ablator roughness, ice roughness and asymmetry is being explored, as it depends on ablator material, drive temperature and absorbed energy. Three-dimensional simulations are being used to ensure adequate radiation symmetry in three dimensions (3D), and to ensure that coupling of 3D asymmetry and 3D Rayleigh–Taylor does not adversely affect planned performance. Integrated 3D hohlraum simulations indicate that 3D features in the laser illumination pattern affect the hohlraums' performance, and the hohlraum has been redesigned to accommodate these effects.