First large capsule implosions in a frustum-shaped hohlraum

Abstract

We report on the first indirect-drive implosions driven by a dual conical frustum-shaped hohlraum denoted “frustraum” and the experimental tuning campaigns leading up to two layered implosions. The campaign used 1.2 and 1.4 mm inner radius high density carbon (HDC) capsules and represented the largest HDC capsules to be imploded on the National Ignition Facility via indirect drive. Several techniques were successfully implemented to control the Legendre mode 2 capsule symmetry of the implosions, including changing the wall angle of the frustraum, which is not possible with cylindrical hohlraums. A mode 4 feature was observed and its implications for hotspot mix discussed. Two layered implosions were conducted with 1.2 mm inner radius capsules, the latter of which achieved the highest layered capsule absorbed energy on the National Ignition Facility using only 1.74 MJ of laser energy. The layered implosion results, along with generalized Lawson parameters, suggest that increasing the energy absorbed by the capsule at the expense of long coast times makes it more challenging to achieve ignition and that further reducing coast time (time between end of laser pulse and bang time) closer to the 1 ns level is warranted to improve the areal density and make it easier to achieve the hotspot temperature, alpha heating, and yield amplification required for ignition.