Low mode surface perturbation tolerance of ignition capsule implosions for the National Ignition Facility

Abstract

The stability of a capsule intended to produce ignition on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) [J. A. Paisner, J. D. Boyes, S. A. Kumpan, W. H. Lowdermilk, and M. S. Sorem, Laser Focus World 30, 75 (1994)] is examined. Sensitivity to target fabrication defects in spherical harmonics modes L⩽12 is quantified in terms of a mode dependent tolerance to surface perturbations. Simulations of NIF capsule implosions with single mode perturbations on a single surface allow the determination of modal growth factors. Simulations with large initial perturbations were also done to determine how large a final perturbation could be tolerated. Combining the growth factors and tolerances determines specifications on initial perturbations. This allows an estimate of modal tolerance for each capsule surface and thickness variation for a polyimide ablator capsule design with central gas fills of 0.3 or 0.6 mg/cm3.